title: Antibiotic use and knowledge in the community in Kalamoon, Syrian Arab Republic: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: Antibiotic misuse contributes to the growing problem of microbial resistance. To understand the current knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic use among Syrians, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 430 randomly selected adult residents of Kalamoon in the Syrian Arab Republic using a questionnaire. A high proportion (85%) had taken antibiotics in the past 4 weeks and 34% were not aware of the dangers of antibiotics. Of 365 participants, only 43% were prescribed the antibiotic by a physician to treat the condition, while 57% used an old prescription or took someone else's advice. Males, younger individuals, and those with low and medium income and lower educational status showed poorer practice and lower knowledge towards antibiotics. Educational efforts are needed to reduce patient demand for antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Private University of Kalamoon, Deratiah, Syrian Arab Republic. farajbarah@hotmail.com
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barah
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012646:Self Administration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013593:Syria
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents