Extent of storage and wastage of antibacterial agents in Palestinian households.
OBJECTIVE
Inappropriate use of antibacterial agents may lead to drug wastage and potential therapeutic failures in the future. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of storage, and wastage of antibacterial agents in households in Palestine.


METHODS
This was a cross sectional, questionnaire-based study of households in northern Palestine. Any antibacterial agents present in the surveyed households were investigated and family members were interviewed.


METHODS
Number and type of antibacterial agents stored in each household.


RESULTS
The total number of antibacterial agents in the 465 surveyed households was 641, constituting 11.3% of the total stored medications. The average number of antibacterial agents was 1.4 +/- 1.74 per household. The most common antibacterial agents encountered were amoxicillin (29.5%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (11.6%). Family size (P < 0.001), total number of stored medications (P < 0.001), and presence of elderly residents (>65 years) (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with the presence of antibacterial agents. Furthermore, the level of parental education was significantly and positively (P = 0.009, r = 0.128; P = 0.013, r = 0.122 for father and mother respectively) correlated with the number of antibacterial agents found in the households. More than one-third (37.4%) of antibacterial agents were stored within the reach of children. Wasted antibacterial agents, defined as those which had expired or those with no clear expiry date were 16.4 and 10.1%, respectively. The percentage of antibacterial agents that were not currently in use was 69.3%. Estimated total value of antibacterial agents found in the study was $4,769, approximately $11.5 per household. The total wastage of antibacterial agents was valued at $2,790, approximately $6.7 per household.


CONCLUSIONS
Antibacterial agents were commonly encountered in Palestinian households, and a relatively large percentage was being wasted.
Sawalha
Ansam
A
Poison and Drug Information center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine. ansam@ymail.com
D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D018912:Arabs; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016527:Drug Costs; D004356:Drug Storage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005191:Family Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents