Practices, knowledge, and attitude toward dispensing antibiotics without a prescription in Iraqi pharmacies
Journal Title: Journal of Public Health and Development - Year 2023, Vol 21, Issue 1
Abstract
Dispensing antibiotics without a prescription (DAWRx) is a potential threat to global public health and can lead to antimicrobial abuse and resistance development. Further research is required to examine the characteristics of DAWRx practice in Iraq. This study aimed to investigate the practices of DAWRx in Iraqi community pharmacies. A semi-structured, validated, pilot-tested online questionnaire was used to conduct a descriptive cross-sectional study in March 2020 among the members of the Iraqi Pharmacist Syndicate. The questionnaire contained five sections: demographics, antibiotic dispensing knowledge, and the prevalence, sources, and characteristic features of DAWRx practices. The results are presented using descriptive statistics and significant associations were reported. A total of 403 respondents completed the questionnaire and, of them, 363 were analyzed. Despite having a satisfactory knowledge of dispensing (64.7%), the practice of DAWRx was prevalent (98.3%). DAWRx was reported based on the pharmacies’ recommendation (30.58%) and patients’ request for antibiotics. Adults and pediatric patients received antibiotics from pharmacies for various conditions. Injectable antibiotics were also dispensed without a prescription (mainly ceftriaxone, n = 51/72). Moreover, the prevalence and the daily number of antibiotics dispensed were significantly associated with sex, pharmacy attitude toward DAWRx, and DAWRx upon patients’ request. A significant association was noted between the knowledge of dispensing inquiries and the prevalence of and attitude toward DAWRx (p < 0.05). Impactful intervention strategies based on patterns identified in this study should be developed to improve antibiotic dispensing in community pharmacies and safeguard public health from the adverse effects of antimicrobial resistance.
Authors and Affiliations
Ali Mohammed Abd Alridha, Karrar Mohammed Hasan Al-Gburi, Sarah Kadhim Abbood, Alaa Yasir, Dhuha Hussam
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP718652
- DOI 10.55131/jphd/2023/210102
- Views 61
- Downloads 0
Awareness and knowledge of environmental health among secondary school students from Mtwara town in Tanzania
tudents are provided with education, including environmental health education that they develop throughout their lives and the education empowers them to become active participants in the transformation of their communit...
Understanding mobile health literacy among the working-age population: A cross-sectional study in Thailand
Mobile health (mHealth) literacy refers to the ability of individuals to seek, find, understand, and evaluate health information accessed via mobile devices. In Thailand, an assessment of mobile...
Mediation effects of individuals’ sexual quality of life on the relationship between sexual quality of life of partners and its predictors: a path analysis
Sexual function and the sexual quality of life of an individual could be influenced by several factors. Sexual dysfunction could affect the sexual quality of life of the individual and, possibly, have an impact on their...
Combination of areola and rolling massage techniques on breast milk production in post-partum mothers, City of Lampung, Indonesia
Postpartum mothers with low breast milk production tend not to provide sufficient breast milk to their babies, which causes various health problems. This study aimed to analyze the effects of areola massage and rolling m...
Prevalence and associated factors of depression symptoms among Vietnamese seafarers: a cross-sectional study
The seafaring profession is physically demanding and perilous, presenting numerous risks that can lead to mental health disorders among seafarers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with...