“Antibiotics heal all diseases”; the factors influencing the pratices of self-medication with antibiotics in Maputo City, Mozambique

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neusa F. Torres ◽  
Vernon P. Solomon ◽  
Lyn E. Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Self Medication ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Maputo City ◽  
All Diseases

scholarly journals “Two-colour capsules”: Commonly used non-prescribed antibiotics in the self-management of self-diagnosed illness amongst pharmacy customers in Maputo city.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neusa Fernanda Torres ◽  
Vernon P. Solomon ◽  
Lyn E. Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Maputo City ◽  
Multifaceted Interventions ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Latent Content

Abstract Background: After analgesics, antibiotics are the most commercialized, prescribed and utilized drugs worldwide. The persistent inappropriate use of these precious drugs is developing, with non-prescription sales and the consequent practices of self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) undermining the global efforts to rationalize their use and contain the antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to identify the commonly used antibiotics and the main health conditions leading to the practice of self-medication with antibiotics. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with 32 pharmacy customers and 17 pharmacists working in nine private pharmacies in Maputo city. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with customers while in-depth interviews were held with pharmacists. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed using latent content analysis. The COREQ (Tong, 2007) checklist for interviews and FGD was performed. Results: Frequent use of non-prescribed antibiotics (NPA) was admitted by 30 of the 32 customers while 15 of the 17 pharmacists admitted NPA dispensing. Antibiotics such as amoxicillin cotrimoxazole, azithromycin, and metronidazole, amoxicillin with acid clavulanic, tetracycline, doxycycline and erythromycin were used after participants self-diagnosed or self-perceived health conditions related to sore throat, fever, cough, vaginal discharge, eye problem, common flu, urinary infection, respiratory infection, wounds, and toothaches. Conclusion: The therapeutic itineraries customers adopt, such as practicing SMA and/or seeking healthcare at the pharmacy, together with the suboptimal dispensing practices of pharmacists, and weak regulatory and law enforcement, are enabling the growing but dangerous practice of SMA among Maputo city private pharmacies customers. Multifaceted interventions are needed to involve public health stakeholders, pharmacists and healthcare professionals to enlighten customers through public education regarding the inappropriate use of antibiotics at all levels.

scholarly journals Patterns of self-medication with antibiotics in Maputo City: a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neusa F. Torres ◽  
Vernon P. Solomon ◽  
Lyn E. Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
The Public ◽  
Maputo City ◽  
Inappropriate Utilization ◽  
Effective Public Health ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Health Service Costs

Abstract Background Mozambique classifies but does not yet enforce antibiotics as prescription-only-medicine (POM) allowing the public access to a variety of antibiotics that otherwise are provided on prescription. This contributes to the growing practice of self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) which systematically exposes individuals to the risk of developing antibiotic resistance, antibiotic side effects and increases the health service costs and morbidity. This study aimed at describing the patterns of SMA among Maputo city pharmacy customers. Methods A qualitative study conducted between October 2018 and March 2019 was developed with thirty-two pharmacy customers and seventeen pharmacists. Using convenience sampling, customers were recruited after buying antibiotics without prescription from nine private pharmacies. Of the thirty-two participants, twenty participated in in-depth interviews and twelve in two focus groups discussions (FGD) with six participants each. Purposive sampling and a snowball technique were used to recruit pharmacists. The transcripts were coded and analyzed using latent content analysis. Nvivo 11 was used to store and retrieve the data. The COREQ (Tong, 2007) checklist for interviews and FGD was performed. Results Customers admitted practices of SMA, pharmacists admitted dispensing a variety of antibiotics without prescription. Non-prescribed antibiotics (NPA) were obtained through five different patterns including; using the generic name, describing the physical appearance and using empty package, describing symptoms or health problem to pharmacists, using old prescriptions and sharing antibiotics with family, friends, and neighbors. Conclusion Different patterns of SMA are contributing to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics among customers. The NPA utilization is perceived as an expression of self-care where participants experience self-perceived symptoms and indulge in self-treatment as a method of caring for themselves. Moreover, antibiotics are mostly used to treat diseases that do not necessarily need antibiotics. Strong and effective public health education and promotion initiatives should be implemented to discourage inappropriate utilization of antibiotics and SMA practices.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Compliance and Health Seeking Behaviour for Hypertension in Mukono and Buikwe in Uganda: A Qualitative Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geofrey Musinguzi ◽  
Sibyl Anthierens ◽  
Fred Nuwaha ◽  
Jean-Pierre Van Geertruyden ◽  
Rhoda K. Wanyenze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Antihypertensive Drugs ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Hypertension Control ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Cardiovascular Morbidity And Mortality

Background and Methods. Hypertension is a global public health challenge and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension control rates are low worldwide, and delay in seeking care is associated with increased mortality. Methods. In a qualitative study, known hypertensive patients were interviewed to explore factors influencing compliance and health seeking behaviour (HSB). Data was analyzed following a semantic thematic analysis approach. Results. Patients sought various channels of care for their hypertension. Self-medication and access to antihypertensive drugs with or without prescription were common as well as use of herbal remedies. Regular monitoring of blood pressure was not a common practice. Factors influencing HSB were related to health systems and the patient socioeconomic and structural environment. The main system issues were related to availability and attitudes of staff and shortage of supplies and medicines. The patient factors were related to awareness, perceived severity, perceived effectiveness of therapy, adverse effects, and perceived fears of lifelong dependence on medicines. The patient socioeconomic status played a role as did the marketing of traditional medicine. Conclusion. Patients seek varied channels of care for their hypertension. Strategies to address the multifactorial dimensions that affect HSB are needed to improve hypertension control in this population.

scholarly journals Identifying the commonly used antibiotics for self-medication in urban Mozambique: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e041323
Author(s):  
Neusa F Torres ◽  
Vernon P Solomon ◽  
Lyn E Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Clavulanic Acid ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Care Process ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maputo City ◽  
Tract Infections

ObjectivesThe study aimed at identifying the commonly used non-prescribed antibiotics (NPAs) and the main health conditions leading to the practices of self-medication with antibiotics (SMAs) in Maputo city, Mozambique.DesignCross-sectional qualitative study based on individual and group interviews.SettingThe study was conducted in nine pharmacies of three socioeconomic areas of Maputo city, from October 2018 to March 2019.ParticipantsThe study included 32 pharmacy clients and 17 pharmacists. The pharmacy clients included men 10 (31%) and women 22 (69%) ranging from 19 to 67 years while the pharmacists included men 6 (35,3%) and women 11 (64,7%) with ages ranging from 24 to 47 years.FindingsThe majority of the pharmacy clients 30 (93.75%) admitted frequent use of NPAs, 15 (88.2%) out of the 17 pharmacists admitted dispensing NPAs. While the majority of the participants (16) mentioned the use of amoxicillin, also known as ‘two colours medicine’, 14 mentioned the use of cotrimoxazole and seven mentioned amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. Two to five participants also used tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, metronidazole and phenoxymethylpenicillin. The above mentioned NPAs were used to treat self-perceived sore throat, fever, pain, cough, vaginal discharge, eye problems, the common influenza, urinary infections, respiratory tract infections, wounds and toothaches.ConclusionsAntibiotics are perceived as essential medical resources to manage health and illnesses. While taking an active role in their health-disease process, participants commonly used amoxicillin, ‘two colours’, cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid to manage their health and that of their families. In this sense, the practices of SMAs were perceived as part of the self-care process and not necessarily as misuse of antibiotics. A wideunderstanding of health-seeking beliefs and behaviours regarding the utilisation of antibiotics is needed to inform public health experts, health policymakers and other stake-holders in designing and implementing public health education and health promotion programsat all levels in Mozambique.

scholarly journals DRY COW ANTIMICROBIALS USE TO CONTROL MASTITIS IN NORTHERN ALGERIA

SPERMOVA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-158
Author(s):  
Mohamed Walid Hamlaoui ◽  
◽  
Ahmed Hadef ◽  
Fawzi Rostane Meklati ◽  
Imane Bital
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Crucial Step ◽  
Intramammary Infections ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Dry Cow Therapy ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Northern Algeria ◽  
Risk Practices ◽  
The One

The control of mastitis is a crucial step in the preparation of the next lactation in dairy cows. In order to assess the practices and attitudes surrounding the use of antimicrobials at dry-off, a survey was conducted among veterinary practitioners in fifteen provinces of Northern Algeria. The results revealed that 45.95% of the farms followed by the respondents were rather small in size comprising about ten cows per farm and that a large majority of the farmers practised gradual drying off (72.97%) without adjusting the feed ration (70.27%) to this stage. Antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) was a common practice and selectively performed in 86.49% of cases regardless of udder health status. Cefalexin was the most infused intra-mammary (IMM) antibiotic (40.54%), while tylosin was the one favoured for parenteral administration (48.15%). Analysis of factors influencing the antibiotic DCT efficacy showed that a frequent (13.51%) occurrence of new intramammary infections (IMIs) was related to farmers’ attitudes (self-medication) and the policy of blanket DCT. Although the use of a teat sealant was uncommon (71.43%) in the farming traditions, the substitution of antibiotics seems to be a plausible prospect, since the majority of participants (89.19%) agreed with the implementation of aromatherapy concept at dry-off, mainly as a complement to antibiotics. This survey gives an overview of risk practices regarding mastitis management in northern Algeria. Hence, further zootechnical, veterinary and organizational efforts need to be made to promote animal production and welfare as well as public health through improved udder health.

scholarly journals The prevalence of self medication and the factors influencing its practice in pharmacy students of Karachi, Pakistan: A mix mode study

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atta Abbas Naqvi ◽  
Rizwan Ahmad ◽  
Omar Qadeer ◽  
Muhammad Hassan Khan ◽  
Muhammad Nehal Nadir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Mode Study
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