Prevalence and predictors of non-adherence to short-term antibiotics: A population-based survey

PLoS One. 2022 May 19;17(5):e0268285. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268285. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Non-adherence to antibiotics is a well-known, core player to antibiotic resistance. The current adherence behavior toward short-term antibiotic regimens has never been investigated before in Jordan. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of non-adherence to short-term antibiotics among Jordanians and investigated participants' views about different reasons related to antibiotics non-adherence. A cross-sectional face-to-face survey-based interview was conducted in three hospital pharmacies in Jordan. Adults and mother of children (≤12 years old) who completed their short course treatment (<30 day) of oral antibiotic within the last month were recruited. A total of 2000 participants (adults: 1000 and mothers of children: 1000) were included in the study with a response rate of 91.60%. The prevalence of non-adherence was estimated to be 32.10%. Non-adherent respondents scored a lower Medication Adherence Report Scale [16.76±5.02 vs. 23.04 ±3.24] than adherent respondents (p<0.001). Adults without comorbidity and children with higher number of doses per regimen were significantly less adherent to antibiotic [(OR = 0.615, 95%CI = 0.444-0.853, p = 0.004) and (OR = 0.965, 95%CI = 0.950-0.981, p<0.001)], respectively. Patients-related factors were the most common antibiotic non-adherence reason reported by the participants. The multivariate analysis for all the participants (adults and children), indicated that mothers were 2.6 times more likely to be adherent in giving antibiotics to their children than adults (p<0.001). These findings highlight that more than half of the participants were adherent to short-term antibiotics. However, improving the current prescription-related practices and implementing pharmaceutical consultation services upon antibiotic dispensing are encouraged.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Humans
  • Medication Adherence*
  • Prevalence

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents

Grants and funding

Funded Study Basima Almomani (BA) received a grant (reference number 536/2019) from Deanship of Research at Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. http://www.just.edu.jo/Pages/Default.aspx. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.