| dc.description.abstract | Misuse of antibiotics is becoming a serious issue
in Sri Lanka which leads to a global public health
problem. Antibiotics can cause severe reactions
which require significant amount of cost of care.
Literature indicates high rate of inappropriate
usage of antibiotics. This study aimed to
assess knowledge and practices regarding self-medication
of antibiotic among school teachers in
Biyagama educational division. A cross-sectional
study was conducted in type 1AB schools in
Biyagama educational division where 150 teachers
(34 male and 116 female) got involved. Data
was collected using interviewer-administered
questionnaire to assess knowledge and practices
concerning self-medication of antibiotics and
after effects. Prevalence of self-medication with
antibiotics was 53.3% (n=80). It was identified
that the most commonly used oral antibiotic was
Amoxicillin (n=123, 82%). Further, majority of
participants (n=102, 68%) were unaware of proper
antibiotic usage. Participants obtaining antibiotics
directly from the pharmacy without a prescription
were most commonly for cold (n=112, 74.7%),
fever (n=75, 50%) and cough (n=89, 59.3%).
Previous experience using antibiotics without
prescription had been (n=58, 38.7%), whereas
participants show an act of reusing antibiotics
without instructions when similar symptoms
appear (n=52, 34.7%) and stopping antibiotics
when feeling better from symptoms (n= 37, 25.3%).
Healthcare professionals’ assistance is required
in reducing self-medication of antibiotics. In
conclusion, actions or intervention programs are
mandatory to promote the appropriate usage of
drugs. | en_US |
