Self-medication with antibiotics among out-patient attendants at Madina Polyclinic prior to medical consultation.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among attendants of the Out-patient Department (OPD) at Madina Polyclinic before seeking medical consultation and associated factors.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: The study was conducted at Madina Polyclinic.

Participants: The study involved 319 general OPD attendants aged 18 years and above accessing healthcare services at the Madina Polyclinic between May and June 2019.

Main outcome measures: The prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and the factors associated with this practice.

Results: From the study, 46.4% (95% CI 40.8%- 52.0%) had self-medicated with antibiotics before presenting for medical consultation at the hospital. Less than half of the respondents (44.5%) had adequate knowledge about the use of antibiotics. Having a tertiary level of education was significantly associated with self-medication (aOR= 8.09, 95% CI 2.31-28.4, p = 0.001), whilst adequate knowledge on the use of antibiotics reduced the odds of self-medication by 53% (aOR= 0.47, 95% CI 0.23- 0.66, p<0.001). The level of education modified the relationship between knowledge and self-medication with antibiotics.

Conclusion: The practice of antibiotic self-medication is rife among OPD attendants. Therefore, adequate public education on the use of antibiotics and the effects of using them inappropriately must be done. The Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) policy ought to be reinforced and made known to all, especially among the pharmacies that dispense antibiotics indiscriminately.

Funding: None declared.