Viewpoints and Perception of Adverse Drug Reactions and Antibiotics Resistance among Healthcare Practitioners Regarding Antibiotics’ Self-Medication

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the viewpoints and perception about adverse drug reactions and antibiotics resistance among healthcare practitioners (HCPs) about self-medication of antibiotics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done using a validated research tool to obtain the required data. Data was obtained using different questions regarding viewpoints and perception of adverse drug reactions and antibiotics resistance from HCPs about antibiotics’ self-medication. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Different demographic characteristics were studied from the selected cohort of the HCPs. Around 153 (52.9%) of the studied HCPs were the females and 136 (47.1%) were males. The studied HCPs were of different professions, whereby 53 (18.3%) from medicine, 103 (35.6%) from pharmacy, 13 (4.45%) from dentistry, 98 (33.9%) from nursing, and 22 (7.6%) from others allied professions. Conclusion: From the obtained results, it was concluded that all of the studied HCPs had varied viewpoints and different levels of perception about adverse drug reactions and antibiotics resistance. Still there is a greater need to strictly adhere with and follow the recommended and concerned guidelines regarding antibiotics usage to avoid any unwanted side effects, adverse drug reactions and antibiotics resistance.