Applied Cell Biology
E-mail: editor@appliedcellbiology.com
An Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour Amongst Patients Regarding Antibiotic Use and Misuse in South Africa
Sholene Ballaram1*, Fatima Suleman2
1Postgraduate Student, Discipline of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa. E-mail: sholeneh@yahoo.com.
2Professor, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Antibiotic misuse is a global problem that is a threat to public health. Antibiotic misuse and overuse are responsible for the increase and spread of antibiotic resistance. The community plays a fundamental role in the appropriate antibiotic use and the increase and spread of antibiotic resistance. Hence, public knowledge and attitude regarding antibiotic use are imperative to inform educational interventions.
Method: A quantitative approach was performed using a descriptive cross-sectional design. The data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire completed by patients accessing the pharmacy. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, namely Microsoft Excel and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Results: From a total of 135 respondents, the majority (n = 108; 80%) of the respondents were aware that different antibiotics were needed to treat different diseases. Over two-thirds (n = 98; 73%) of the respondents agreed that antibiotics are effective against viruses. More than half of the respondents (n = 82; 61%) considered that antibiotic resistance is a global problem. The vast majority of the sample population (n = 104; 77%) agreed that the pharmacists often tell them how to use their antibiotics during the dispensing process. Also, a high number of respondents (n = 97; 72%) agreed that doctors take time to inform them during the consultation on using the antibiotics that s/he prescribed.
Conclusion: Multifaceted educational interventions and patient-healthcare provider communication tools seems to be working in some cases. However, attention should be paid to increasing knowledge on those conditions where antibiotics are not required or are ineffective. Community-based interventions may help prevent the development of antibiotic resistance, cross-resistance and possible future events of treatment failure.