Knowledge towards antibiotics usage vis-a-vis perceived appropriateness of self-medication among patients / Michael Bryan R. Avenir 6

Thesis (M.A.) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, 2013;A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate School of Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Nursing 56

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ABSTRACT: Despite of continuous public awareness and concerns, global irrational use of antibiotics is on rise. This results to the rapid emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms which are dangerous for both individuals and societies. One important determinant to this is the practice of antibiotics self-medication among consumers which takes as a result of a multiplicity of factors; patients level of knowledge towards antibiotics usage and patients attitude of high perceived appropriateness of antibiotics self-medication. Therefore, this undertaking was done to determine the relationship between these two factors contributing to the said phenomenon. Specifically, it sought answers to seven specific questions; profiling of the respondents in terms of age, educational attainment, monthly family income, and antibiotics self-medication practices; determined the level of knowledge towards antibiotics usage in terms of role of antibiotics, identification of antibiotics, dangers of antibiotics, and completion of treatment course; and assessed the level of perceived appropriateness of antibiotics self-medication in serious ailments, minor ailments, and different situations. Moreover, significant differences in the level of knowledge and perceived appropriateness of the respondents when grouped according to their profile; and significant relationship of these two variables were also measured. The findings of this study served as a guide in the development of health educational material in a form of flyer which is focused on proper antibiotics usage. A survey involving 164 outpatients was conducted at selected Doctors Clinic in Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CHHMC), from January 21 to 26, 2013 using an adapted questionnaire from Oh, et al. (2011) and Grigoryan, et al. (2008). Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted means, ANOVA and Pearson r correlation through SPSS Statistical Package. Results showed that majority of the participants had a moderate level of knowledge towards antibiotics usage. In terms of the different domains, there is a low level of knowledge in the role of antibiotics; moderate level in the completion of treatment course and identification of antibiotics, and high level in the dangers of antibiotics. Also, they had a minimal perceived appropriateness of antibiotics self-medication in serious ailments, and different situations. The study also revealed significant differences in the level of knowledge towards antibiotics usage when grouped according to educational attainment and monthly family income. In terms of level of perceived appropriateness of antibiotics self-medication, significant differences in serious ailments when grouped according to age and educational attainment; In minor ailments when they were group according to educational attainment and monthly family income; and in different situations when they were group according to educational attainment. Moreover, the results highlighted that respondents belonging to the group of late adults with low educational attainment, very low income earnings, and regularly practicing antibiotics self-medication consistently have a higher perceived appropriateness of antibiotics self-medication in all of the situations. Finally, a moderately small negative correlation was significantly seen between the two variables. The findings suggest that the population's knowledge and perceived appropriateness of antibiotics self-medication can substantially be improved. Therefore, provision and concrete information about antibiotics can change population's attitudes and behaviors with regard to antibiotics usage.

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