@article{ajps2017523,
author={{Khalifeh, Malak and Moore, Nicholas and Salameh, Pascale},
title={Evaluation of Self-medication Use of Antibiotics within Lebanese Population: A Prospective Pilot Study},
journal={American Journal of Pharmacological Sciences},
volume={5},
number={2},
pages={31--39},
year={2017},
url={http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajps/5/2/3},
issn={2327-672X},
abstract={<b>Objective:</b><b> </b>The aim of this study was to assess the appropriateness of antibiotic used in community based pharmacy setting. <b>Method: </b>It is a cross sectional prospective study in a community-based pharmacy setting in Lebanon. It uses a structured random interview to patients visiting a community pharmacy and seeking for antibiotics. Baseline characteristics and reason for self-medication were collected. Completing the questionnaire after 30 days provided information on adherence and usage pattern. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to predict factors affecting appropriateness. <b>Results: </b>62.7% of 501 participants bought antibiotics without prescription. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was the most used antibiotic as self-medication (33.7%). 62.4% of patients used the right antibiotic and 80.1% used it in correct dosage. The duration of treatment was inappropriate in the majority of cases (68.6%). When all of these three factors were summed together, it turned out that 83.6% of antibiotics were utilized inappropriately. Appropriateness in use was seen in 27.6% and 16.4% of the prescribed and non-prescribed antibiotics respectively. <b>Conclusion:</b> Our study shows great misuse of antibiotics and hence there is a need to increase awareness of the health risks related to inappropriate and uncontrolled use of antibiotics.},
doi={10.12691/ajps-5-2-3}
publisher={Science and Education Publishing}
}