Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, ISSN - 0973 - 709X

Users Online : 185401

AbstractMaterial and MethodsResultsDiscussionConclusionReferencesDOI and Others
Article in PDF How to Cite Citation Manager Readers' Comments (0) Audio Visual Article Statistics Link to PUBMED Print this Article Send to a Friend
Advertisers Access Statistics Resources

Dr Mohan Z Mani

"Thank you very much for having published my article in record time.I would like to compliment you and your entire staff for your promptness, courtesy, and willingness to be customer friendly, which is quite unusual.I was given your reference by a colleague in pathology,and was able to directly phone your editorial office for clarifications.I would particularly like to thank the publication managers and the Assistant Editor who were following up my article. I would also like to thank you for adjusting the money I paid initially into payment for my modified article,and refunding the balance.
I wish all success to your journal and look forward to sending you any suitable similar article in future"



Dr Mohan Z Mani,
Professor & Head,
Department of Dermatolgy,
Believers Church Medical College,
Thiruvalla, Kerala
On Sep 2018




Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar

"Over the last few years, we have published our research regularly in Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. Having published in more than 20 high impact journals over the last five years including several high impact ones and reviewing articles for even more journals across my fields of interest, we value our published work in JCDR for their high standards in publishing scientific articles. The ease of submission, the rapid reviews in under a month, the high quality of their reviewers and keen attention to the final process of proofs and publication, ensure that there are no mistakes in the final article. We have been asked clarifications on several occasions and have been happy to provide them and it exemplifies the commitment to quality of the team at JCDR."



Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar
Head, Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad
Chairman, Research Group, Charutar Arogya Mandal, Karamsad
National Joint Coordinator - Advanced IAP NNF NRP Program
Ex-Member, Governing Body, National Neonatology Forum, New Delhi
Ex-President - National Neonatology Forum Gujarat State Chapter
Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat.
On Sep 2018




Dr. Kalyani R

"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research is at present a well-known Indian originated scientific journal which started with a humble beginning. I have been associated with this journal since many years. I appreciate the Editor, Dr. Hemant Jain, for his constant effort in bringing up this journal to the present status right from the scratch. The journal is multidisciplinary. It encourages in publishing the scientific articles from postgraduates and also the beginners who start their career. At the same time the journal also caters for the high quality articles from specialty and super-specialty researchers. Hence it provides a platform for the scientist and researchers to publish. The other aspect of it is, the readers get the information regarding the most recent developments in science which can be used for teaching, research, treating patients and to some extent take preventive measures against certain diseases. The journal is contributing immensely to the society at national and international level."



Dr Kalyani R
Professor and Head
Department of Pathology
Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College
Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research , Kolar, Karnataka
On Sep 2018




Dr. Saumya Navit

"As a peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research provides an opportunity to researchers, scientists and budding professionals to explore the developments in the field of medicine and dentistry and their varied specialities, thus extending our view on biological diversities of living species in relation to medicine.
‘Knowledge is treasure of a wise man.’ The free access of this journal provides an immense scope of learning for the both the old and the young in field of medicine and dentistry as well. The multidisciplinary nature of the journal makes it a better platform to absorb all that is being researched and developed. The publication process is systematic and professional. Online submission, publication and peer reviewing makes it a user-friendly journal.
As an experienced dentist and an academician, I proudly recommend this journal to the dental fraternity as a good quality open access platform for rapid communication of their cutting-edge research progress and discovery.
I wish JCDR a great success and I hope that journal will soar higher with the passing time."



Dr Saumya Navit
Professor and Head
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Saraswati Dental College
Lucknow
On Sep 2018




Dr. Arunava Biswas

"My sincere attachment with JCDR as an author as well as reviewer is a learning experience . Their systematic approach in publication of article in various categories is really praiseworthy.
Their prompt and timely response to review's query and the manner in which they have set the reviewing process helps in extracting the best possible scientific writings for publication.
It's a honour and pride to be a part of the JCDR team. My very best wishes to JCDR and hope it will sparkle up above the sky as a high indexed journal in near future."



Dr. Arunava Biswas
MD, DM (Clinical Pharmacology)
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology
Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital , Kolkata




Dr. C.S. Ramesh Babu
" Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) is a multi-specialty medical and dental journal publishing high quality research articles in almost all branches of medicine. The quality of printing of figures and tables is excellent and comparable to any International journal. An added advantage is nominal publication charges and monthly issue of the journal and more chances of an article being accepted for publication. Moreover being a multi-specialty journal an article concerning a particular specialty has a wider reach of readers of other related specialties also. As an author and reviewer for several years I find this Journal most suitable and highly recommend this Journal."
Best regards,
C.S. Ramesh Babu,
Associate Professor of Anatomy,
Muzaffarnagar Medical College,
Muzaffarnagar.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Arundhathi. S
"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) is a reputed peer reviewed journal and is constantly involved in publishing high quality research articles related to medicine. Its been a great pleasure to be associated with this esteemed journal as a reviewer and as an author for a couple of years. The editorial board consists of many dedicated and reputed experts as its members and they are doing an appreciable work in guiding budding researchers. JCDR is doing a commendable job in scientific research by promoting excellent quality research & review articles and case reports & series. The reviewers provide appropriate suggestions that improve the quality of articles. I strongly recommend my fraternity to encourage JCDR by contributing their valuable research work in this widely accepted, user friendly journal. I hope my collaboration with JCDR will continue for a long time".



Dr. Arundhathi. S
MBBS, MD (Pathology),
Sanjay Gandhi institute of trauma and orthopedics,
Bengaluru.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Mamta Gupta,
"It gives me great pleasure to be associated with JCDR, since last 2-3 years. Since then I have authored, co-authored and reviewed about 25 articles in JCDR. I thank JCDR for giving me an opportunity to improve my own skills as an author and a reviewer.
It 's a multispecialty journal, publishing high quality articles. It gives a platform to the authors to publish their research work which can be available for everyone across the globe to read. The best thing about JCDR is that the full articles of all medical specialties are available as pdf/html for reading free of cost or without institutional subscription, which is not there for other journals. For those who have problem in writing manuscript or do statistical work, JCDR comes for their rescue.
The journal has a monthly publication and the articles are published quite fast. In time compared to other journals. The on-line first publication is also a great advantage and facility to review one's own articles before going to print. The response to any query and permission if required, is quite fast; this is quite commendable. I have a very good experience about seeking quick permission for quoting a photograph (Fig.) from a JCDR article for my chapter authored in an E book. I never thought it would be so easy. No hassles.
Reviewing articles is no less a pain staking process and requires in depth perception, knowledge about the topic for review. It requires time and concentration, yet I enjoy doing it. The JCDR website especially for the reviewers is quite user friendly. My suggestions for improving the journal is, more strict review process, so that only high quality articles are published. I find a a good number of articles in Obst. Gynae, hence, a new journal for this specialty titled JCDR-OG can be started. May be a bimonthly or quarterly publication to begin with. Only selected articles should find a place in it.
An yearly reward for the best article authored can also incentivize the authors. Though the process of finding the best article will be not be very easy. I do not know how reviewing process can be improved. If an article is being reviewed by two reviewers, then opinion of one can be communicated to the other or the final opinion of the editor can be communicated to the reviewer if requested for. This will help one’s reviewing skills.
My best wishes to Dr. Hemant Jain and all the editorial staff of JCDR for their untiring efforts to bring out this journal. I strongly recommend medical fraternity to publish their valuable research work in this esteemed journal, JCDR".



Dr. Mamta Gupta
Consultant
(Ex HOD Obs &Gynae, Hindu Rao Hospital and associated NDMC Medical College, Delhi)
Aug 2018




Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey

"I wish to thank Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), for asking me to write up few words.
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium i e; into the words and sentences on paper. Quality medical manuscript writing in particular, demands not only a high-quality research, but also requires accurate and concise communication of findings and conclusions, with adherence to particular journal guidelines. In medical field whether working in teaching, private, or in corporate institution, everyone wants to excel in his / her own field and get recognised by making manuscripts publication.


Authors are the souls of any journal, and deserve much respect. To publish a journal manuscripts are needed from authors. Authors have a great responsibility for producing facts of their work in terms of number and results truthfully and an individual honesty is expected from authors in this regards. Both ways its true "No authors-No manuscripts-No journals" and "No journals–No manuscripts–No authors". Reviewing a manuscript is also a very responsible and important task of any peer-reviewed journal and to be taken seriously. It needs knowledge on the subject, sincerity, honesty and determination. Although the process of reviewing a manuscript is a time consuming task butit is expected to give one's best remarks within the time frame of the journal.
Salient features of the JCDR: It is a biomedical, multidisciplinary (including all medical and dental specialities), e-journal, with wide scope and extensive author support. At the same time, a free text of manuscript is available in HTML and PDF format. There is fast growing authorship and readership with JCDR as this can be judged by the number of articles published in it i e; in Feb 2007 of its first issue, it contained 5 articles only, and now in its recent volume published in April 2011, it contained 67 manuscripts. This e-journal is fulfilling the commitments and objectives sincerely, (as stated by Editor-in-chief in his preface to first edition) i e; to encourage physicians through the internet, especially from the developing countries who witness a spectrum of disease and acquire a wealth of knowledge to publish their experiences to benefit the medical community in patients care. I also feel that many of us have work of substance, newer ideas, adequate clinical materials but poor in medical writing and hesitation to submit the work and need help. JCDR provides authors help in this regards.
Timely publication of journal: Publication of manuscripts and bringing out the issue in time is one of the positive aspects of JCDR and is possible with strong support team in terms of peer reviewers, proof reading, language check, computer operators, etc. This is one of the great reasons for authors to submit their work with JCDR. Another best part of JCDR is "Online first Publications" facilities available for the authors. This facility not only provides the prompt publications of the manuscripts but at the same time also early availability of the manuscripts for the readers.
Indexation and online availability: Indexation transforms the journal in some sense from its local ownership to the worldwide professional community and to the public.JCDR is indexed with Embase & EMbiology, Google Scholar, Index Copernicus, Chemical Abstracts Service, Journal seek Database, Indian Science Abstracts, to name few of them. Manuscriptspublished in JCDR are available on major search engines ie; google, yahoo, msn.
In the era of fast growing newer technologies, and in computer and internet friendly environment the manuscripts preparation, submission, review, revision, etc and all can be done and checked with a click from all corer of the world, at any time. Of course there is always a scope for improvement in every field and none is perfect. To progress, one needs to identify the areas of one's weakness and to strengthen them.
It is well said that "happy beginning is half done" and it fits perfectly with JCDR. It has grown considerably and I feel it has already grown up from its infancy to adolescence, achieving the status of standard online e-journal form Indian continent since its inception in Feb 2007. This had been made possible due to the efforts and the hard work put in it. The way the JCDR is improving with every new volume, with good quality original manuscripts, makes it a quality journal for readers. I must thank and congratulate Dr Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief JCDR and his team for their sincere efforts, dedication, and determination for making JCDR a fast growing journal.
Every one of us: authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher are responsible for enhancing the stature of the journal. I wish for a great success for JCDR."



Thanking you
With sincere regards
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey, M.S., M. Ch., FAIS
Associate Professor,
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College & Associated
Kamla Nehru & Hamidia Hospitals Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 001 (India)
E-mail: drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com
On May 11,2011




Dr. Shankar P.R.

"On looking back through my Gmail archives after being requested by the journal to write a short editorial about my experiences of publishing with the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), I came across an e-mail from Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor, in March 2007, which introduced the new electronic journal. The main features of the journal which were outlined in the e-mail were extensive author support, cash rewards, the peer review process, and other salient features of the journal.
Over a span of over four years, we (I and my colleagues) have published around 25 articles in the journal. In this editorial, I plan to briefly discuss my experiences of publishing with JCDR and the strengths of the journal and to finally address the areas for improvement.
My experiences of publishing with JCDR: Overall, my experiences of publishing withJCDR have been positive. The best point about the journal is that it responds to queries from the author. This may seem to be simple and not too much to ask for, but unfortunately, many journals in the subcontinent and from many developing countries do not respond or they respond with a long delay to the queries from the authors 1. The reasons could be many, including lack of optimal secretarial and other support. Another problem with many journals is the slowness of the review process. Editorial processing and peer review can take anywhere between a year to two years with some journals. Also, some journals do not keep the contributors informed about the progress of the review process. Due to the long review process, the articles can lose their relevance and topicality. A major benefit with JCDR is the timeliness and promptness of its response. In Dr Jain's e-mail which was sent to me in 2007, before the introduction of the Pre-publishing system, he had stated that he had received my submission and that he would get back to me within seven days and he did!
Most of the manuscripts are published within 3 to 4 months of their submission if they are found to be suitable after the review process. JCDR is published bimonthly and the accepted articles were usually published in the next issue. Recently, due to the increased volume of the submissions, the review process has become slower and it ?? Section can take from 4 to 6 months for the articles to be reviewed. The journal has an extensive author support system and it has recently introduced a paid expedited review process. The journal also mentions the average time for processing the manuscript under different submission systems - regular submission and expedited review.
Strengths of the journal: The journal has an online first facility in which the accepted manuscripts may be published on the website before being included in a regular issue of the journal. This cuts down the time between their acceptance and the publication. The journal is indexed in many databases, though not in PubMed. The editorial board should now take steps to index the journal in PubMed. The journal has a system of notifying readers through e-mail when a new issue is released. Also, the articles are available in both the HTML and the PDF formats. I especially like the new and colorful page format of the journal. Also, the access statistics of the articles are available. The prepublication and the manuscript tracking system are also helpful for the authors.
Areas for improvement: In certain cases, I felt that the peer review process of the manuscripts was not up to international standards and that it should be strengthened. Also, the number of manuscripts in an issue is high and it may be difficult for readers to go through all of them. The journal can consider tightening of the peer review process and increasing the quality standards for the acceptance of the manuscripts. I faced occasional problems with the online manuscript submission (Pre-publishing) system, which have to be addressed.
Overall, the publishing process with JCDR has been smooth, quick and relatively hassle free and I can recommend other authors to consider the journal as an outlet for their work."



Dr. P. Ravi Shankar
KIST Medical College, P.O. Box 14142, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
On April 2011
Anuradha

Dear team JCDR, I would like to thank you for the very professional and polite service provided by everyone at JCDR. While i have been in the field of writing and editing for sometime, this has been my first attempt in publishing a scientific paper.Thank you for hand-holding me through the process.


Dr. Anuradha
E-mail: anuradha2nittur@gmail.com
On Jan 2020

Important Notice

Original article / research
Year : 2022 | Month : November | Volume : 16 | Issue : 11 | Page : IC09 - IC13 Full Version

Knowledge and Antibiotics Self-medication Behaviours among Students of Non Medical Background: A Questionnaire-based Cross-sectional Study


Published: November 1, 2022 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2022/55431.17125
KR Vidya, MK Sagar, S Sowmya, K Lohit

1. Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Shri Atal Bihari Vajapayee Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. 2. Intern, Department of Pharmacology, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India. 3. Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Shri Atal Bihari Vajapayee Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. 4. Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, T Begur. Nelamangala, Bangalore Rural, Karnataka, India.

Correspondence Address :
Dr. K Lohit,
Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore Rural, Karnataka, India.
E-mail: lohitk4u@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Antibiotics are the life saving therapeutic agents used worldwide from neonates to geriatric patients for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. Antibiotics Self-medication (ASM) is a major public health problem due to irrational and inappropriate use of antibiotics as a routine practice among public.

Aim: To assess the knowledge and ASM behaviours among Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree students and also to estimate the prevalence of ASM among students of non medical background.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2017 in Tumakuru, Karnataka, India, using a validated questionnaire. A total of 152 degree students were enrolled in the present study. The questionnaire consisted of 28 questions based on knowledge and behaviour towards self antibiotic medication practice was used to collect data from face to face interaction. Data were entered into MS excel and were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 19.0.

Results: Out of 152 students, 93 (61.2%) were treated with antibiotics and among them 64 (42.1%) were self-medicated with antibiotics. Students self-medicated with antibiotics, due to convenience 32 (50%), lack of trust in doctor 9 (14.1%). Selection of antibiotic were maximally from the previous doctor’s prescription 30 (46%), followed by opinion of family members 16 (25%). Around 50% and 22% of the students obtained antibiotics from community pharmacist and from the left over from previous prescription, respectively.

Conclusion: The ASM was practiced among students and was encouraged by the community pharmacists and family members. Even without the proper knowledge, due to convenience the ASM has increased among the students.

Keywords

Antibiotic resistance, Antimicrobials, Prescription, Public health

Antibiotics are the life saving therapeutic agents used worldwide from neonates to geriatric patients, during pregnancy or lactation, with or without any co-morbid condition for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections (1). Antibiotic Resistance (ABR) alone is responsible for the death of an estimated 7,00,000 people all over the world per annum and this number may increase to 10 million by 2050 (1). Increase in ABR worldwide, specifically in developing countries, necessitates the need to pay attention (2). In India, ABR is prevalent in the community from paediatric to geriatric age group patients across all classes of antibiotics (3). This rise in ABR is putting every life at risk even to common infections. One most important reason for ABR is ASM. ASM is defined as the selection and use of antibiotics by individual to treat self-recognised illness or symptoms without any advice from the registered doctor (4).

Inappropriate use of antibiotics causes catastrophic public health problems even with common infections and minor injuries in the coming days due to alarming increase in the rate of antibiotic resistance (2). Self medication practices include mainly acquiring medicines without prescription, reusing old prescription and by the opinion of the community pharmacist or by the family members, close relatives or by friends which is left over from the previous prescription (5). Self-medication has a major drawback which is that the user does not follow adequate dose of antibiotics and stop taking antibiotics once relieved from the symptoms. Increasing in the rate of antibiotic resistance is mainly due to inadequate dosing, incomplete courses, improper drugs and counterfeit drugs (5). India as a developing country is drowned in the problem of ASM significantly. The overall prevalence of ASM was ranged from 7.3% to 85.59% and among medical students it was 44.5% (5),(6).

Many studies regarding self-medication among medical, nursing and allied students have been conducted which constitutes 3.3% of students enrollment at undergraduate level (5),(6),(7),(8),(9), but information regarding self-medication practice with antibiotics among other degree students of various discipline is scarce. The knowledge and practice component affects the self-medication pattern and hence this study was conducted to assess the knowledge and behaviour of ASM among BSc degree students of non medical background and also to estimate the prevalence of ASM among students of non medical background.

Material and Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Siddaganga Science College (B.Sc degree college) in Tumakuru, Karnataka, India, for a period of 8 months from April to November 2017 after obtaining the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) approval (ref no. SSMC/IEC-April/2/2017).

Inclusion criteria: All the students aged between 17-22 years, studying in B.Sc degree course and who gave written informed consent were included in the study.

Exclusion criteria: Students who refused to give consent were excluded from the study.

Sample size calculation: Considering study done by Daniel JSR et al., (8) prevalence of ASM among non medical students was 55%, with 15% relative precision at 95% confidence level, 150 was the calculated samples size.

Data Collection

The data was collected from all the consented students using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was devised by the researchers after reviewing the literature (5),(10) and was validated by the subjects experts. The questionnaire consisted of four questions regarding knowledge and 24 questions regarding self-medication behaviours. The questionnaire was given to all the students and explained about the study, verbal consent was taken by the students and the responses were collected by the investigator by face to face interaction based on their antibiotic use in the previous 12 months.

Statistical Analysis

Data were entered into MS excel and were analysed using SPSS 19. descriptive data were presented as number and percentage.

Results

A total of 152 students including 148 male students and four female students with the mean age of 20.5±1.1 years were interviewed personally and collected the data.

Out of 152, 93 (61.2%) of students had ever taken antibiotics in the last one year and among them 64 (42.1%) self-medicated with antibiotics, 83 (54.6%) students know about antibiotics and 118 (77.6%), 16 (10.5%) and 14 (9.2%) believed that they are used for bacterial, viral and others including fungal infections, respectively. Among students those who self-medicated with antibiotics, 31 (48.4%) believe that they had taken multiple trade names antibiotics at the same time. Students self-medicated with antibiotics, due to convenience 32 (50%), lack of trust in doctor 9 (14.1%) (Table/Fig 1).

While selecting the ASM, students consider their indications, brand, adverse effects and type of antibiotics among 20 (31.3%), 15 (23.4%), 9 (14.1%) and 12 (18.7%), respectively. 42 (65.6%) students always check for package inserts if available. During the course the doses or duration were changed by themselves among 24 (37.4%) mainly to reduce adverse effects 18 (28.1%), due to worsening or improved conditions 9 (14.1%) (Table/Fig 1).

Self-treated illness with antibiotics were fever 24 (37.5%), running nose 12 (18.75%), skin wounds 9 (14.06%) (Table/Fig 2).

The selection of antibiotic were maximally from the previous doctor’s prescription 30 (46%) followed by opinion of family members 16 (25%) and recommendation by community pharmacist 9 (14%) (Table/Fig 3).

They obtain antibiotics mainly from community pharmacies 32 (50%) followed by left over from previous prescriptions 14 (22%) (Table/Fig 4).

When asked for reason for stopping antibiotics, 11 (23.40%) replied due to improvement in condition, 17 (36.17%) to reduce adverse reaction and 9 (19.15%) due to worsening condition (Table/Fig 5).

Discussion

It was observed that 42.1% B.Sc degree students reported usage of antibiotics for self-diagnosed illnesses similar to 44.5-57.6% among medical and 54.2% among nursing students (5),(9),(11),(12). Previous doctor’s prescription was used among 46% similar to other studies with medical students (43%-46.6%) (5),(6),(13).

The study reveals that fever, common cold, sore throat (upper respiratory tract symptoms) were the most common illness for which self-medicated antibiotics were used. These findings are similar to the findings by Vidya KR et al., (5), Nair A et al., (62.4%) (13), Kumar V et al., (58.7%) (14) and Fadare JO and Tamuno I (34.8%) (15). In community, fever and running nose is more commonly due to viral infection which don’t require antibiotics, but 51.5% of students consumed antibiotics for these symptoms and 20.3% stopped antibiotics once the symptoms disappeared in contrast to 56.5% medical student who stop taking once symptoms disappeared (5). This contrasting difference may be due to negligence among medical students to complete the course due to easy availability of information and antibiotics even to restart. Previous prescriptions was used to selecting the antibiotics among 47% students and 70% students purchased antibiotics without doctor’s current prescription and 22% students used antibiotics from the previous prescription left over which is similar to medical students (5). This is a concern as students are not adherent even after consulting doctors and unrestricted purchasing of antibiotics is happening without any restrictions from local pharmacies.

About 14.1% students have reported that they are experienced by adverse effects compared to 0.89% medical students. This variation in adverse effects may be due to variation in antibiotics consumed and its dose and duration (5).

There is indiscriminate sales of antibiotics and lack of strict regulatory control of antibiotic sales. The schedule H1 includes only few antibiotics mainly comprising of newer generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, aminoglycoside, newer fluoroquinolones and first-and second-line antitubercular drugs excluding important antibiotics like fluoroquinolones including ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, beta-lactams including co-amoxiclav, cephalexin, cefadroxil and macrolides which includes azithromycin (16) .

After looking at the studies published regarding ASM, this differentiation between new and old antibiotics for restricted use is allowing every individual to buy the antibiotics without any restriction. Indiscriminate sale of antibiotics is increasing the chances of ASM and hence increasing the antibiotic resistance (16),(17),(18). ASM is correlated with inappropriate antibiotic use and ultimately leading to development of antibiotic resistance. Community pharmacy professionals are playing a significant role in primary care because of their easy access to community. However these professionals are undertrained and accordingly there is lack of awareness in the community and mistrust. Hence it is very important to create awareness and educate among community and immediate intervention is required at the community level to prevent this misuse (17),(18).

Without proper knowledge there is uncontrolled misuse of antibiotics among students. As the accessibility to doctors, selling and monitoring antibiotic sales varies across different regions, with the emergence of antibiotic resistance and rampant misuse of antibiotic there is a urgent need for educating public and students at the community level and immediate intervention has to be done at the national level with strict implementation of guidelines to the sales of antibiotics at pharmacy level to stop selling antibiotic without any prescription (3). Immediate precautionary measures has to be taken to prevent this hazard.

Limitation(s)

Recall bias and absence of a comparative group are some of the limitations of present study.

Conclusion

In present study, 42.1% B.Sc degree students reported usage of antibiotics for self-diagnosed illnesses. ASM is very rampant among the science degree students without the proper knowledge of its dosage, indications and adverse effects. The ease of its availability and support from the pharmacies and family members are the most important reasons for the raise of ASM. Public education programs, inclusion of chapters at secondary education level regarding the adverse effects of antibiotics misuse and strict regulations in selling of antibiotics may help in curbing this issue. A multicentric study including students from different disciplines along with the educative programs to change their attitude in using antibiotics as self medication will add a great value to the society.

References

1.
Bhatia R. Antimicrobial resistance: Threat, consequences and options. Natl Med J India. 2018;31:133-35.
2.
World Health Organisation. Facts Sheet on Antibiotic Resistance. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance. [Accessed on May 30, 2019].
3.
Vidya KR, Manjunath M, Lohit K, Prashanth HV. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates from urine samples from female patients suffering from urinary tract infection at tertiary care center in South India. Natl J Community Med. 2021;12(6):127-32. [crossref]
4.
Kumari R, Kumar D, Bahl R, Gupta R. Study of knowledge and practices of self-medication among medical students at Jammu. J Med Sci. 2012;15:141-44. [crossref]
5.
Vidya KR, Sagar MK, Lohit K. Prevalence and pattern of antibiotics self-medication among medical students. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2021;11(08):886-89.
6.
Kasulkar AA, Gupta M. Self medication practices among medical students of a private institute. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2015;77(2):178-82. Doi: 10.4103/0250-474x.156569. [crossref] [PubMed]
7.
Nepal G, Bhatta S. Self-medication with antibiotics in WHO Southeast Asian region: A systematic review. Cureus. 2018;10:e2428. [crossref]
8.
Daniel JSR, Prasanand S, Joice S, Rani PJ. Prevalence and practice of self medication among undergraduate medical students and non-medical students in south India. Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol. 2019;8:388-93. [crossref]
9.
Pal B, Murti K, Gupta AK, Choudhury U, Rastogi M, Pandey H, et al. Self medication with antibiotics among medical and pharmacy students in North India. Curr Res Med. 2016;7(2):07-12. [crossref]
10.
Pan H, Cui B, Zhang D, Farrar J, Law F, Ba-Thein W, et al. Prior knowledge, older age, and higher allowance are risk factors for self-medication with antibiotics among university students in southern China. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e41314. [crossref] [PubMed]
11.
Biswas S, Ghosh A, Mondal K, Dalui SK, Haldar M, Biswas S, et al. Self-medication with antibiotics among undergraduate nursing students of a government medical college in Eastern India. Int J of Pharmacological Res. 2015;5:239-43.
12.
Olayemi OJ, Olayinka BO, Musa AI. Evaluation of antibiotic self-medication pattern amongst undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University (Main Campus), Zaria. Res J Appl Sci Eng Technol. 2010;2:35-38.
13.
Nair A, Doibale MK, Kulkarni SK, Domple VK, Rajput PS, Shingare AD, et al. Pattern of self-medication with antibiotics among undergraduate medical students of a government medical college. Int J Prevent Public Health Sci. 2015;1:09-13.
14.
Kumar V, Mangal A, Yadav G, Raut D, Singh S. Prevalence and pattern of self-medication practices in an urban area of Delhi, India. Med J DY Patil Univ. 2015;8:16-20. [crossref]
15.
Fadare JO, Tamuno I. Antibiotic self-medication among university medical undergraduates in Northern Nigeria. J Public Health Epidemiol. 2011;3:217-20.
16.
New Delhi: Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India; 2013. Gazette notification G.S.R. 588(E). The Gazette of India dated. 2013;4-8.
17.
Guinovart MC, Figueras A, Llor C. Selling antimicrobials without prescription far beyond an administrative problem. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2018;36(5):290-92. [crossref] [PubMed]
18.
Chadalavada V, Babu SM, Balamurugan K. Non prescription sale of schedule H1 antibiotics in a city of South India. Indian J Pharmacol. 2020;52(6):482-87. [crossref] [PubMed]

DOI and Others

DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2022/55431.17125

Date of Submission: Mar 05, 2022
Date of Peer Review: Apr 19, 2022
Date of Acceptance: Sep 08, 2022
Date of Publishing: Nov 01, 2022

AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was Ethics Committee Approval obtained for this study? Yes
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? Yes
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. NA

PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Mar 14, 2022
• Manual Googling: Aug 30, 2022
• iThenticate Software: Sep 06, 2022 (10%)

ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin

JCDR is now Monthly and more widely Indexed .
  • Emerging Sources Citation Index (Web of Science, thomsonreuters)
  • Index Copernicus ICV 2017: 134.54
  • Academic Search Complete Database
  • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
  • Embase
  • EBSCOhost
  • Google Scholar
  • HINARI Access to Research in Health Programme
  • Indian Science Abstracts (ISA)
  • Journal seek Database
  • Google
  • Popline (reproductive health literature)
  • www.omnimedicalsearch.com