PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES REGARDING SELF MEDICATION WITH ANTIBIOTIC IN GAZIANTEP, TURKEY

Sevgul Donmez; K?vanc Gungor; P?nar Gov; Nilgun Katranc?

Volume : VII, Issue : III, March - 2018

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES REGARDING SELF MEDICATION WITH ANTIBIOTIC IN GAZIANTEP, TURKEY

Sevgul Donmez, K Vanc Gungor, P Nar Gov, Nilgun Katranc

Abstract :

Inappropriate self-medication practice is a cause of growing concern among public. This study was carried out to investigate the factors among people living in Gaziantep that lead to self-medication with antibiotics, including the influential factors. It was completed with 2057 partipicants as a descriptive study. The results showed that 49.3% of the participants had started self-medicating with antibiotics. The reasons for starting self-medicating with antibiotics were as follows; common cold and flu; sore throat; fever; cough; abdominal pain; weakness; urinary burning and skin infection. When the factors that affected starting using self medicated with antibiotics by their own without getting doctor�s advice were scrutinized; they found to be using the same antibiotic prescribed by doctor in previous similar conditions; there was no time to visit the doctor; using the drug advised by close friends and relatives; had no intention to pay the examination and test fees; and consulting pharmacist regarding the medicine use. It was identified that 56.4% have maintained antibiotic at home in case it might be necessary in the future; 70.6% have used antibiotic at the prescribed dose and timeframe; 20.0% have heard the term of antibiotic resistance previously; only 58.5% have defined antibiotic resistance correctly. It was determined that approximately half of them had started using antibiotics on their own and the majority of them did not hear the term of antibiotic resistance correctly.