Self-medication with antibiotics among youths from Myanmar

Authors

  • Pyae Sone Win Department of Public Health, Chann Mya Thazi Township, Mandalay, Myanmar
  • Thida Win Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Medicine, Mandalay, Myanmar
  • Pa Pa Soe Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Medicine, Mandalay, Myanmar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210780

Keywords:

Antibiotics, Myanmar, Self-medication with antibiotics, Youths

Abstract

Background: Self-medication with antibiotics becomes a public health concern in both developed and developing countries. It is a risk factor for antibiotic resistance, one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics varies across the countries, and such studies are still limited in Myanmar. Therefore, we aimed at describing the prevalence of and the factors facilitating self-medication with antibiotics in Myanmar.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included face-to-face interviewing of 360 youths randomly selected from 6 townships of Mandalay city, Myanmar.

Results: In this study, 36.67% of the youths self-medicated with antibiotics in the six months before the survey. The most common antibiotic used for self-medication was amoxicillin (70.94%). Runny nose (35.61%), cough (26.52%), and fever (25.76%) were the most typical symptoms for which antibiotics were taken. The main factor facilitating self-medication with antibiotics was easy accessibility (86.36%).  One-third of youths selected antibiotics based on the advice of drugstore’s sellers. Most of the youths bought antibiotics at nearby drugstores. About two-thirds of youths stopped taking antibiotics after taking them one or two days, regardless of the outcome.

Conclusions: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics was high among Myanmar youths. Law enforcement and regulations for inappropriate use of antibiotics is an urgent need to alleviate the consequences of self-medication with antibiotics. Awareness-raising and educational program targeting both drugstore owners and the public through various channels is necessary to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics.

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Published

2021-02-24

How to Cite

Win, P. S., Win, T., & Soe, P. P. (2021). Self-medication with antibiotics among youths from Myanmar. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 8(3), 1047–1051. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210780

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Original Research Articles