Antibiotics self-medication among dental patients from Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Medical Academy Faculty of Odontology department of prosthodontics
Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is worldwide phenomenon which has presented more negative sides rather than positive. Hence, the aim of this study was to describe, evaluate and investigate the knowledge, behavior and attitude of the participants towards SMA. Material and methods: 222 questionnaires with structure of 26 questions were given to the outgoing patients from Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), Medical Academy (MA), Faculty of Odontology (OF), department of prosthodontics. There were no eligibility criteria besides being an outgoing patient in the duration the study was performed. The questionnaire contained 3 sections which obtained information regarding the sociodemographic status, knowledge, attitude, adverse reactions, behavior and utilization of SMA. Results: The given questionnaire had 90% response rate, according to this, the results have shown that 54% of the participants had stopped consuming antibiotics after symptoms disappeared. The main opinion regarding SMA was a good practice. Comparison between the genders have shown that men and women have been mostly SMA twice (53.8% versus 47.2%) in the past year. In addition, men have been mostly SMA in case of dental pain 53.3% and women in case of dental pain or fever 35%. Place of residence was also compared, results have shown that the urban group mostly considered the pharmacist 45.3% as the main source of knowledge regarding the required dosage of antibiotics and SMA for less than a week 47.5%, while the rural group addressed to family members or friends and SMA for more than two weeks 22.2%. Conclusions: Participants irresponsible attitude, behavior and lack of knowledge regarding SMA is supported by the main opinion of which SMA is a good practice, the majority of urban and rural participants who did not consult the right source of knowledge, men and women who did not SMA according to the right indications and more than half of the participants who have stopped SMA after symptoms disappeared.
Author: Shahaf Givony
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2980769207