Risk Factors of Antibiotics Self-medication Practices among University Students in Cairo, Egypt

Elden, Nesreen Mohamed Kamal; Nasser, Hebatallah A.; Alli, Aliaa; Mahmoud, Nayra; Shawky, Mai Ahmed; Ibrahim, Abady Abo Elazayem Ahmed; Fahmy, Abdelrahmn Karam

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2020.3323

Cited by 22 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Several causes can be responsible for the increased incidence of drug-resistance detected in the present study. The prime reason may be the common practice in Egypt where almost all patients-before hospital admission-take diverse antibiotics either prescribed by doctors or self-medication due to over-the-counter antibiotics administered mostly in an improper dose and for an inadequate period [37,38]. Other potential causes are the geographical divergence as well as the genetic variations among pathogens from different studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of multidrug-resistant bacteria among intensive care units patients at Ain Shams University Hospitals in Egypt—a retrospective study

Fahim

2021

J. Egypt. Public. Health. Assoc.

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Background The nightmare of the rising numbers of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) requires the implementation of effective stewardship programs. However, this should be preceeded by making available evidence-based knowledge regarding the local antimicrobial resistance pattern, which is fundamental. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of MDRO among different Ain Shams University Hospitals (ASUHs) intensive care units (ICUs) and detect the resistance profile of the common pathogens. Results The 1-year records of a total of 1280 pathogens were studied. The highest number of pathogens were isolated from blood cultures (44.84%), followed by urine (41.41%) then wound swabs (13.75%). Gram-negative isolates (57.5%) were more prevalent than gram-positive ones (31.1%). The most frequently isolated pathogens were Klebsiella spp. (22.5%), Escherichia coli (13.4%), and Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (12.5%). The highest percentage of resistance among gram-positive organisms was exhibited by penicillin (89.5%) followed by erythromycin (83.98%) and then cefoxitin (76.52%). None of the isolates showed resistance to linezolid and resistance to vancomycin was minimal (2.62%). Gram-negative isolates exhibited high overall resistance to all used antibiotic classes. The least frequency of resistance was recorded against nitrofurantoin (52.5%), amikacin (58.01%), followed by imipenem (59.78%) and meropenem (61.82%). All isolates of Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter showed 100% susceptibility to colistin. Conclusions The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Ain Shams University Hospitals (ASUHs) was high among both gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. This high resistance pattern foreshadows an inevitable catastrophe that requires continuous monitoring and implementation of effective antibiotic stewardship.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of multidrug-resistant bacteria among intensive care units patients at Ain Shams University Hospitals in Egypt—a retrospective study

Fahim

2021

J. Egypt. Public. Health. Assoc.

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“…However, there were still some misconceptions and malpractices reported among medical students/professionals. [36][37][38] Regarding self-medication with antibiotics, 62.2%, 36 65.9% 39 and 77.7% 37 of medical students reported such practice. These rates are higher than that observed among nonmedical students in the current study (39.9%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is health literacy associated with antibiotic use, knowledge and awareness of antimicrobial resistance among non-medical university students in Egypt? A cross-sectional study

et al. 2021

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ObjectivesAntibiotic resistance is a global public health concern, especially in developing countries, where antibiotic misuse is widespread. However, studies investigating relevant factors, particularly in youth, are limited. This study examined the levels of health literacy (HL) and their association with antibiotic use, knowledge of antibiotics and awareness of antibiotic resistance among university students in Egypt.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires during 2018. The Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU-Q16) and the WHO Antibiotic resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey were used. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to compare responses on use and knowledge of antibiotics, and awareness of antibiotic resistance between the three levels of students’ HL.SettingUniversity, Cairo, Egypt.Participants508 non-medical university students.OutcomesStudents’ HL scores were categorised into sufficient, problematic and inadequate. Students’ knowledge of antibiotics was categorised into good and poor. Students’ awareness of antibiotic resistance was categorised into high, average and poor.Results35.1% of students had sufficient HL. 79.7% of students had poor knowledge of antibiotics. 39.9% of students reported having used antibiotics in the past month without a prescription. 92.2% had limited awareness of antibiotic resistance and 30.6% of students heard about the term ‘antimicrobial resistance’. Background characteristics did not significantly differ by HL levels or knowledge scores, except for students’ year of study. Sufficient HL was independently associated with students’ high awareness of antibiotic resistance (adjusted OR=2.8; 95% CI: 1.3 to 5.9).ConclusionsHL was insufficient in this sample of non-medical Egyptian university students. Across all levels of HL, knowledge of antibiotics and awareness of antibiotic resistance were limited, reflecting deficiency in relevant education programmes. Findings suggest that sufficient HL supports high awareness of antibiotic resistance. Incorporating HL and rational antibiotic use awareness raising programmes in university curricula is an urgent necessity to curb antibiotic resistance.

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“…Most of these factors are in line with those reported by Ocan and colleagues in a review on developing countries (65). Accessibility, affordability, and conditions of health facilities, as well as the health-seeking behaviors were among the factors identified by Torres and associates in LMIC (17). Low educational status is the most frequently reported factor associated with SMA, warranting the need to promote literacy among communities in Africa as a vital strategy to also reduce SMA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Five studies reported male gender (32,40,43,45,53), while 2 studies presented the female gender (20,51). Other associated factors reported were low income or unemployment (52,55), young age <30 years (17,42,55), middle-age 30 to 60 years (20,51), the remoteness of health facility (48,53), and perceived long waiting time at health facilities (43,53) [Table 4].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Assessment of the Prevalence, Practices and Factors Associated with Self-medication with Antibiotics in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Ingelbeen

Kemah³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is a common practise in many parts of Africa, but its magnitude and drivers are not well-known. This systematic review evaluated and compared the prevalence, reasons, sources, and factors associated with of SMA within African sub-regions. Methods An electronic search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed for observational studies conducted between January 2005 and February 2020. Two reviewers independently screened the abstracts and full texts using the PRISMA flowchart and equally performed quality assessment. Both quantitative and qualitative syntheses of selected studies were carried out. Results A total of 40 studies from 19 countries were selected for qualitative synthesis. The prevalence of SMA in Africa ranged from 12.1% to 93.9% with a median prevalence of 55.7% (IQR 41%-75%). Western Africa was the sub-region with the highest prevalence 70.1% (IQR 48.3%-82.1%), followed by Northern Africa with 48.1% (IQR 41.1-64.3%). We identified 27 different antibiotics used for self-medication from 13 different antibiotic classes. Penicillins were the most frequently used antibiotics followed by Tetracyclines and Fluoroquinolones. The most frequent indications for SMA were upper respiratory tract symptoms/infections (27 studies). Common sources of antibiotics used for self-medication were community pharmacies (31 studies), family/friends (20 studies), leftover antibiotics from previous treatments (19 studies), and patent medicine stores (18 studies). Commonly reported factors associated with SMA were no education/ low educational status (9 studies), male gender (5 studies), and low income / unemployment (2 studies). Conclusions The prevalence of SMA in Africa is high and varies across sub-regions with Western Africa having the highest prevalence. Drivers of SMA are complex comprising of socio-economic factors, limited access to healthcare coupled with absence or poorly implemented policies regulating antibiotic sales. Keywords: Self-Medication with Antibiotics, Prevalence, Practices, Associated Factors, Africa

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Risk Factors of Antibiotics Self-medication Practices among University Students in Cairo, Egypt

Cited by 22 publications

References 27 publications

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of multidrug-resistant bacteria among intensive care units patients at Ain Shams University Hospitals in Egypt—a retrospective study

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of multidrug-resistant bacteria among intensive care units patients at Ain Shams University Hospitals in Egypt—a retrospective study

Is health literacy associated with antibiotic use, knowledge and awareness of antimicrobial resistance among non-medical university students in Egypt? A cross-sectional study

Comparative Assessment of the Prevalence, Practices and Factors Associated with Self-medication with Antibiotics in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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