Antibiotic Self-Medication Among Young Adults in Kosovo

Zana Shabani and Kerry J. Redican*
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Zana Shabani: Thematic Specialist in Health and Nutrition Save the Children Pristina, Kosovo
Kerry J. Redican*: Department of Population Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA, Virginia

International Journal of Healthcare and Medical Sciences, 2018, vol. 4, issue 7, 134-140

Abstract: A survey was developed and distributed to adult pharmacy customers in Pristina, Kosovo to explore the extent and reasons for self-medication and knowledge regarding antibiotic use. The survey was distributed via-email to a convenience sample of pharmacy customers (n=693). Four hundred and nineteen (n=419, 63.2% response rate) completed surveys were returned. Most respondents (56%, n=235) were between 25-45 years old, almost 80% (79.62%, n=332) held a university degree, 59.43% were females, and 12.05% (n=50) were unemployed.  Sore throats (44.47%, n=185) were the most common reason for self-medicating with antibiotics followed by other – unspecified (28.61%, n=119), cough (7.21%, n=30) and pain (6.49%, n=27). Amoxicillin was the most frequently self-administered antibiotic (41.1%, n=175). It was concluded that self-medication with antibiotics in this sample is a problem and controlling antibiotic use is an important public health effort.

Keywords: Self-Medication; Antibiotic behavior; Antibiotic controlled use; Antibiotic use in kosovo. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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