title: Public Knowledge, Beliefs and Behavior on Antibiotic Use and Self-Medication in Lithuania.
abstract: Irrational antibiotic use has led society to antibiotic resistance-a serious health problem worldwide. This study aimed to assess public knowledge, beliefs, and behavior concerning antibiotic use and self-medication in Lithuania. The cross-sectional survey method was processed using a validated questionnaire in different regions of Lithuania. In total, 1005 adults completed the questionnaire and were included in the study. More than half of the respondents (61.1%) had poor knowledge of antibiotics. Almost half of the respondents incorrectly identified antibiotics as being effective either against viral (26.0%) or mixed (bacterial and viral) infections (21.7%). The respondents with lower educational qualifications (OR = 2.515; 95% CI 1.464-4.319; p = 0.001) and those from rural areas (OR = 1.765; 95% CI 1.041-2.991; p = 0.035) were significantly less knowledgeable of antibiotics. There was no significant difference between genders, different age groups, or different parenthood status. The determined level of self-medication with antibiotics was 31.0%. The men (OR = 1.650; 95% CI 1.120-2.430; p = 0.011), the respondents from rural areas (OR = 2.002; 95% CI 1.343-2.985; p = 0.001), and those without children (OR = 2.428; 95% CI 1.477-3.991; p < 0.001) were more likely to use antibiotics in self-medication. Lithuanian residents' knowledge of antibiotics is insufficient. More information about antibiotic use should be provided by physicians and pharmacists. Self-medication with antibiotics is a serious problem in Lithuania and requires considerable attention.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus Str. 9, Kaunas 44307, Lithuania. egle.svitojute@lsmuni.lt.
authors.forename: Eglė
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pavydė
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas 49264, Lithuania. vincentas.veikutis@med.kmu.lt.
authors.forename: Vincentas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Veikutis
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas 50161, Lithuania. asta.svitojute@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Asta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mačiulienė
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas 50161, Lithuania. vt.maciulis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vytautas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mačiulis
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas 50161, Lithuania. kestutispetrikonis@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Kęstutis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Petrikonis
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus Str. 9, Kaunas 44307, Lithuania. edgaras.stankevicius@lsmuni.lt.
authors.forename: Edgaras
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stankevičius
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D010595:Pharmacists; D010820:Physicians; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Lithuania; antibiotic resistance; antibiotics; knowledge; parent behavior; rational antibiotic use; risk factors; self-medication