Non-Prescription Antibiotics Use and Associated Factors Among Drug Retail Outlets in Ambo, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hika Ayana; Tesemma Sileshi; Mohammed Hussen Bule; Eshetu E Chaka

doi:10.2147/PPA.S337364

Non-Prescription Antibiotics Use and Associated Factors Among Drug Retail Outlets in Ambo, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021 Dec 10:15:2739-2747. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S337364. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Hika Ayana¹, Tesemma Sileshi^{1

2}, Mohammed Hussen Bule², Eshetu E Chaka³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, Rift Valley University, Ambo, Ethiopia.
² Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the non-prescription use of antibiotics and associated factors in Ambo Town, West Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design supported with the qualitative study was conducted in Ambo Town from February 1 to March 1, 2020. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and in-depth interview guide questions. Simple random sampling was used to select retail outlets and systematic random sampling to select study participants. The data analysis was done using SPSS and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with non-prescription use of antibiotics. Thematic framework analysis was applied for the qualitative data.

Results: From the 421 study sample, a total of 399 participants were interviewed with a 94.8% response rate. Among the study participants, 214 (53.6) were males, 228 (57.1%) were married, 191 (47.9%) were orthodox by religion, and 343 (86%) were Oromo by ethnicity. One hundred seventy-two (43.1%; 95% CI: 38.6, 48.1) of the participants had used non-prescribed antibiotics. Being male [AOR=2.21 95% CI: 1.276, 3.835], residing in rural area [AOR=3.659, 95% CI: 1.479, 9.054], holding diploma [AOR=0.120, 95% CI: 0.025, 0.591], and hold BSC degree [AOR=0.050, 95% CI: 0.007, 0.378], and being farmer [AOR=0.034, 95% CI: 0.004, 0.285] showed significant association with the non-prescription use of antibiotics.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the non-prescription use of antibiotics 172 (43.1%) was relatively high. Being male, residing in a rural area, holding a diploma, BSc degree, and being a farmer were significantly associated with non-prescription use of antibiotics. So, West Shoa Zone regulatory body should actively focus on the prevention of non-prescription use of antibiotics through health communication and public awareness on the demerits of non-prescription use of antibiotics.

Keywords: Ambo; antibiotics; community pharmacy; drug store; non-prescription.

Grants and funding

This article is the outcome of an in-house financially non-supported study.