INFLUENCES ON TREATMENT-SEEKING AND ANTIBIOTIC USE FOR COMMON ILLNESSES
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Keywords
Antibiotic, Resistance, Health, Provide, Patients, Drugs
Abstract
Introduction: The growth of drug-resistant bacteria is an increasing global public health issue. A key driver in the acceleration of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
Objectives: The basic aim of the study is to find the influences on treatment-seeking and antibiotic use for common illnesses.
Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in one of the Public Hospital of Karachi from June 2022 to December 2022. Data was collected from 120 patients. Participants were individually interviewed using a structured questionnaire developed for this study. The questionnaire was designed to capture a wide range of information, including demographic details, health beliefs, knowledge about antibiotics, prior healthcare experiences, and healthcare-seeking behavior.
Results: Data was collected from 120 patients from both genders. The mean age of the participants was 42.5±10.2 years, with a range of ages from 19 to 65. The gender distribution was nearly equal, with 61 participants identifying as female (50.8%) and 59 as male (49.2%). All participants reported experiencing at least one common illness episode within the past year, with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) being the most frequently reported (72.5%), followed by urinary tract infections (UTI, 18.3%), sinusitis (6.7%), and acute bronchitis (2.5%).
Conclusion: It is concluded that the challenge of antibiotic resistance requires a concerted effort involving patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers to promote responsible antibiotic use and preserve the effectiveness of these vital drugs. Comprehensive strategies targeting both patients and healthcare providers are needed to promote responsible antibiotic use and mitigate the threat of antibiotic resistance.
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Juweria Abid
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics National University of Medical Sciences Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Dr. Ridhaa Amman Anis
House Officer, Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Dr. Hasan Afaq Zaidi
Assistant Professor, Operative Dentistry, Baqai Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
Dr. Madiha Raees
MD trainee (Internal Medicine), Fatima Hospital, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
Dr. Syed Muhammad Abdullah Salman
Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Baqai Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
Dr. Saba Izhar
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, CMH Kharian Medical College, Kharian Pakistan