Assessment of Antibiotic Self-medication Pattern among University Students in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Journal Title: Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International - Year 2017, Vol 18, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Self-medication with antibiotics has been reported among university students in many countries, but no study has been conducted on this issue in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and behaviours of university students in Eastern DRC regarding antibiotics self-medication. Methods: A questionnaire-based data collection instrument was used. It was distributed to the students of the Université Catholique du Graben (UCG), a university comprising 7 faculties in Butembo, Eastern DRC and welcomes an average of 1100 students per year. Results: From the 500 questionnaires distributed, 430 students responded (response rate 86%). Self-medication with antibiotics was influenced by gender, age, class level and the faculty. Students frequently self-medicated in 44.6% for genitourinary infections (76.1%), catarrh (63.9%), cough (54.1%), sore throat (49.2%), fever (26.9%) and diarrhoea (18.7). Factors influencing self-medication were predominantly the illness considered not serious for consultation (75.4%), whereas prior experience on antibiotics use and knowledge about drugs constitute respectively 60.3% and 54.6% of SMA reasons. The most used antibiotics were amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (75.1%), penicillin (69.5%), amoxicillin (65.9%), ciprofloxacin (54.1%), erythromycin (51.5%) and doxycycline (40.8%). Conclusion: This study shows that prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo among university students is alarmingly high and this situation may increase antimicrobial resistance.
Authors and Affiliations
Gabriel Kambale Bunduki, Mupenzi Mumbere, François Katsuva Mbahweka
Keywords
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- EP ID EP312864
- DOI 10.9734/JPRI/2017/31848
- Views 119
- Downloads 0
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