Abstract:
Background: Worldwide, antimicrobial use is a major contributor to the
development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), withpeople and animals serving as
the primary drivers. Knowledge of antibiotic rational use includes not only
providers' actions in ensuring patients receive appropriate treatment for their
condition, at the right dose and duration, but also patients' actions in adhering to
the treatment protocols recommended, completing the full course, and not sharing
or storing medicines for future use. This study aims to determine the knowledge
and prevalence of antimicrobial use among patients in a District Hospital in Abuja,
Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Methods: This was descriptive, cross-sectional
study done in September, 2022 among 400 patients attending outpatient clinic at
Maitama District Hospital Abuja's. A multistage sampling technique was used in this
study. The data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS 28 (Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences) computer software (IBM SPSS Inc. 2021). Ethical approval was
granted by Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State. Results: The
prevalence of antimicrobial use in the last 1 month, 6month and last 1 year was
41.5%, 32.0% and 5.6% respectively. A majority (74.25%) of the participants had
gotten a prescription for the antibiotics from a doctoror nurse, 83.75% of them had
received advice from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist on how to take the antibiotics
while 16.25% of them had not. The antibiotics were sourced pharmacy (70.25%),
hospital (22.5%), clinic (4.25%) while 3% stated other sources. Respondents stated
that the conditions that can be treated with antibiotics, bladder infection or urinary
tract infection (UTI) (75.2%), followed by Skin or wound infection (70.8%), Sore
throat (62.4%) and Gonorrhea(55.9%) were the most selected. While other conditions
were Cold and flu (48.5%), Fever (33.7%), Malaria (34.2%), Measles (30.7%), Body
aches (21.3%), Headaches (11.9%) and HIV/AIDS (11.4%). Two thirds (63.25%) of
respondents had good knowledge of antimicrobial use, 17.25% fair knowledge of
antimicrobial use, and 19.5% poor knowledge of antimicrobial use. Test of
association showed statistical significance for Age (χ² (2, N=400) = 69.56, p < 0.003),
Marital status (χ² (2, N=400) = 96.64, p < 0.001) and Education (χ² (2, N=400) = 106.53, p <
0.01). Conclusion: The prevalence of antimicrobial use in the last 1 month was
41.5%, prevalence in last 6 months was 32.0% and in last 1 year was 5.6%
respectively.Two thirds of respondents had good knowledge of antimicrobial use,
17.25% fair knowledge of antimicrobial use, and 19.5% poor knowledge of
antimicrobial use. Individuals and communities should develop proper health seeking behavior, such as consulting a physician or a licensed health workers
before using antimicrobials.
