Self-medication with antibiotics in the ambulatory care setting within the Euro-Mediterranean region; results from the ARMed project.
Anecdotal data from the southern and eastern Mediterranean region suggests that self-medication with antibiotics is commonly practiced in many countries. In order to provide proper information on the situation, we undertook short structured interviews in out-patients clinics or primary health centres in Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia and Turkey. A total of 2109 interviews were undertaken of which 1705 completed the full questionnaire. Self-medication was reported by 19.1% (<0.1% in Cyprus to 37% in Lebanon) of respondents. Intended self-medication ranged from 1.3% (95% CI 0%, 3%) in Cyprus to 70.7% (95% CI 64%, 77%) in Jordan. Upper respiratory tract symptoms were the most frequent reasons for which respondents indicated they would self-medicate. 48.4% of the whole group replied that they kept antibiotics at home, being highest in Lebanon (60%, 95% CI 51%, 69%). We found a significant association between antibiotic hoarders and intended users of antibiotics for self-medication. Our data confirms that non-prescribed antibiotic use is high within ambulatory care in southern and eastern Mediterranean countries, being almost twice that reported in a similar European study. Corrective efforts are clearly required in the region to ensure proper use of antimicrobials so as to reduce pressure for antimicrobial resistance.
Scicluna
Elizabeth Anne
EA
Infection Control Unit, Mater Dei Hospital, B'Kara Bypass, Msida MSD 2090, Malta. elizabeth.a.scicluna@gov.mt
Borg
Michael A
MA
Gür
Deniz
D
Rasslan
Ossama
O
Taher
Ibrahim
I
Redjeb
Saida Ben
SB
Elnassar
Ziad
Z
Bagatzouni
Despo Pieridou
DP
Daoud
Ziad
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003535:Cyprus; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014416:Tunisia; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D055553:Prescription Drugs