RESUMO
Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a public health problem that threatens the efficacy of antibiotics. Incorrect knowledge of antibiotics may lead to their inappropriate use, hinder their effectiveness, and cause antibiotic resistance. Population-based educational campaigns have been found to have either mixed or no effect on improving knowledge and appropriate antibiotic practices, suggesting the need for more targeted approaches in tailoring education for specific subpopulations. Women are the primary caregivers of their families and are more willing to contact healthcare providers. They had greater knowledge of antibiotics and better adherence to the completion of the antibiotic regimen. Therefore, they are suitable for prioritization in a campaign program. Objective: This study examined the knowledge and practices of female visitors to health centers in Malang, Indonesia with respect to antibiotic use. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Malang, Indonesia, in July and August 2018. Data were collected from 677 women. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the potential factors associated with antibiotic knowledge, self-medication, and completion of antibiotic regimens. Results: Overall, 82.7% of respondents were aware that antibiotics are used against bacteria, while 38.4% reported self-medication with antibiotics and 51.7% reported completing antibiotic regimens. Women with higher education, previous antibiotic use experience, and very easy accessibility to primary doctors were more likely to have high antibiotic knowledge than those with primary education, no antibiotic use in the previous year, and easy/other level of accessibility to primary doctors. Subjects residing in urban areas and with less accessibility to primary doctors were more likely to self-medicate with antibiotics. Additionally, the completion of antibiotic regimens was positively associated with access to a primary care doctor and high antibiotic knowledge. Conclusion: IF Policymakers tend to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use among women. Priority advocates are recommended for urban residents who have experiences of antibiotic use in the previous year. It is therefore important to increase their awareness, particularly regarding diseases against which antibiotics are effective, and activities such as unnecessary use of antibiotics in healthy animals, which may affect their overall effectiveness among humans. More communication channels should be included in the overall scheme to improve the public awareness and accessibility of health professionals.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is an important public health concern, especially in the vulnerable population of pregnant women due to potential risks to both the mother and fetus. Few studies have studied how factors, such as knowledge, affect self-medication. This study investigated self-medication and its associated factors among pregnant women attending healthcare services in Malang, Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2018 in five healthcare services. A self-administered questionnaire was used and the data were analyzed using multiple regression models. RESULTS: Of 333 female participants, 39 (11.7%) used OTC medication. Women with a higher level of knowledge of OTC medication were more likely to self-medicate-adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-4.46. Compared with those with less knowledge, pregnant women with more correct knowledge of the possible risk of self-medication were less likely to self-medicate-aOR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.14-0.60. The effect of a higher level of knowledge of OTC medication was significant among women who had middle school and lower education-aOR = 8.18; 95% CI = 1.70-39.35. The effect of correct knowledge on the possible risks of self-medication was significant only among women with high school and higher education-aOR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.07-0.42. CONCLUSION: Imparting specific knowledge of the potential risks of using non-prescribed medication during pregnancy may help pregnant women navigate and more safely manage their OTC use. We also suggest further collecting data from more healthcare services, such as hospitals, to obtain more findings generalizable to the Indonesian community.
