Prevalence and Patterns of Self-Medication with Antibiotics among People Visiting Dental Clinic, Kabul, Afghanistan

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Published Sep 30, 2023
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Vol. 2 No. 03 (2023): September

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Ali Mohammad Alokozay
Rajab Nazari
Mohammad Ashraf Farahmand
Shah Jahan Shayan

Abstract

‌Background: Self-medication with antibiotics is a global public health issue particularly in developing countries where over 50% of antibiotics are dispensed over the counter. This class of drugs, which is the most important success of modern medicine, and saved millions of lives, is now losing its effectiveness owing to microbial resistance. It is an emergency alarm for developing countries which are in the top of morbidity and mortality list of infectious diseases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of self-medication with antibiotics among people attending the Dental Teaching Clinic of Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2020.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among clients of the Dentistry Teaching Clinic of Kabul University of Medical Sciences. A census sampling method was used to select the participants for one month, November 2020. Data collection was done using a researcher-developed questionnaire to collect data on the prevalence and patterns of self-medication with antibiotics. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 24).
Findings: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics was 30.1% in the past twelve months. The common reasons for self-medication with antibiotics were having a successful experience with medication, cost-saving, and lack of time.  Toothache, sore throat, and cough were common health conditions that were self-medicated with antibiotics. Amoxicillin, metronidazole, and azithromycin were common antibiotics that were used for self-medication.
Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics is high among people attending the Dental Teaching Clinic of Kabul University of Medical Sciences. Patterns of self-medication indicate the irrational practice of antibiotics.

Keywords

Self-Medication, Antibiotics, Dental Clinic, Microbial Resistance

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How to Cite
Alokozay, A. M., Nazari, R., Farahmand, M. A., & Shayan, S. J. (2023). Prevalence and Patterns of Self-Medication with Antibiotics among People Visiting Dental Clinic, Kabul, Afghanistan. NUIJB, 2(03), 63–71. Retrieved from https://nuijb.nu.edu.af/index.php/nuijb/article/view/70

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