Public Knowledge, Beliefs and Behavior on Antibiotic Use and Self-Medication in Lithuania

Eglė Pavydė, Vincentas Veikutis, Asta Mačiulienė, Vytautas Mačiulis, Kęstutis Petrikonis and Edgaras Stankevičius
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Eglė Pavydė: Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus Str. 9, Kaunas 44307, Lithuania
Vincentas Veikutis: Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas 49264, Lithuania
Asta Mačiulienė: Department of Anesthesiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas 50161, Lithuania
Vytautas Mačiulis: Department of Anesthesiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas 50161, Lithuania
Kęstutis Petrikonis: Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas 50161, Lithuania
Edgaras Stankevičius: Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus Str. 9, Kaunas 44307, Lithuania

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: Irrational antibiotic use has led society to antibiotic resistance—a serious health problem worldwide. This study aimed to assess public knowledge, beliefs, and behavior concerning antibiotic use and self-medication in Lithuania. The cross-sectional survey method was processed using a validated questionnaire in different regions of Lithuania. In total, 1005 adults completed the questionnaire and were included in the study. More than half of the respondents (61.1%) had poor knowledge of antibiotics. Almost half of the respondents incorrectly identified antibiotics as being effective either against viral (26.0%) or mixed (bacterial and viral) infections (21.7%). The respondents with lower educational qualifications (OR = 2.515; 95% CI 1.464–4.319; p = 0.001) and those from rural areas (OR = 1.765; 95% CI 1.041–2.991; p = 0.035) were significantly less knowledgeable of antibiotics. There was no significant difference between genders, different age groups, or different parenthood status. The determined level of self–medication with antibiotics was 31.0%. The men (OR = 1.650; 95% CI 1.120–2.430; p = 0.011), the respondents from rural areas (OR = 2.002; 95% CI 1.343–2.985; p = 0.001), and those without children (OR = 2.428; 95% CI 1.477–3.991; p < 0.001) were more likely to use antibiotics in self-medication. Lithuanian residents’ knowledge of antibiotics is insufficient. More information about antibiotic use should be provided by physicians and pharmacists. Self-medication with antibiotics is a serious problem in Lithuania and requires considerable attention.

Keywords: antibiotics; knowledge; rational antibiotic use; self-medication; risk factors; antibiotic resistance; parent behavior; Lithuania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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