Antibiotic Use in Some
Nigerian Communities: Knowledge and Attitudes of
Consumers
Asa Auta1*,
Samuel B Banwat1, Shalkur David1,
Dauda A Dangiwa1, Esther Ogbole2
and Amom J Tor-anyiin3
1Department of Clinical
Pharmacy, University of Jos, Jos, 2Biochemistry
and Chemotherapy Division, Nigerian Institute for
Trypanosomiasis Research, Vom, 3Institute of
Human Virology Nigeria, PLASVIREC, Plateau Specialist
Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
*For correspondence:
Email:
asaauta@yahoo.com; Tel:
+234-8030846692
Received: 29 May 2012 Revised accepted: 30
September 2013
Tropical Journal of
Pharmaceutical Research, December 2013;
12(6): 1087-1092
http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v12i6.33
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the knowledge and
attitude of consumers in Jos, Nigeria towards the use of
antibiotics.
Methods: A cross-sectional
questionnaire survey involving 430 clients of registered
community pharmacy outlets located in some communities
in Jos, Nigeria was conducted in November, 2011. Data
collected were analysed using SPSS version 16 and
logistic regression was used to determine independent
predictors of low antibiotic knowledge.
Results: About 56.5 % of
respondents reported using an antibiotic within a month
preceding the survey, with a prevalence of 22.3 % of
self-medication use of antibiotics among respondents.
The antibiotic knowledge assessment test revealed that
30.5% of respondents had low knowledge; while 40.9% and
28.6 % of respondents had intermediate and high
knowledge levels respectively. Respondents’ educational
level was the only demographic predictor (p < 0.01) of
low antibiotic knowledge found, as those with primary
level of education were more likely (OR = 13.224; CI =
3.296-53.052) to have low antibiotic knowledge than
those with tertiary education. Respondents showed
negative attitude (< 50 % positive response rate) in
about 60 % of the attitude statements they responded to.
The most common negative attitudes demonstrated by
respondents were their expectation to be prescribed an
antibiotic for cold (66.3 %) and taking an antibiotic
when they have cold to get better quickly (60.9 %).
However, respondents demonstrated positive attitudes in
looking at the expiry dates of antibiotics before using
them (93.3 %), and taking antibiotics according to the
instructions on the label (84.2 %).
Conclusion: The study showed that
inadequate antibiotic knowledge and negative attitudes
towards antibiotics use exists among consumers.
Keywords: Antibiotic use, knowledge,
attitude, Nigerian consumers.
