Antibiotic Usage in an Urban Population in Nigeria
1Oronsaye F.E. and 2Oviasogie F.E.
1Medical Microbiology Department, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
2Microbiology Department, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
E-mail: sayfrankon@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and proper usage of antibiotic substances among an urban population, 1,260 respondents comprising 530 females and 730 males, were randomly surveyed to determine their knowledge and proper usage of antibiotics. This was done by means of questionnaires administered to them. 10% of the respondents were married, and 40% were gainfully employed, 80% visit hospital, 90% has knowledge of antibiotics, but 50% go to the Doctor for prescription, 10% go to the Pharmacists; while 40% practice self medication. 60% purchase their antibiotics from pharmacy shops while 40% purchase from patent medicine dealers. There is adequate knowledge of antibiotics and consultation of qualified Medical personnel is equally adequate but the practice of self medication is apparent. This study has shown that people in an urban area are aware of anibiotics but do not have adequate knowledge of the proper usage of antibiotics, since quite a number of them practice self medication and this could lead to abuse and misuse of antibiotic substances. Therefore there is the urgent need for proper education and counseling on the proper usage of antibiotics in this country.