SELF MEDICATION WITH ANTIBIOTICS IN MISURATA CITY, LIBYA

Self-medication with antibiotics is one form of antibiotic misuse which enhances the development of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide public health problem which leads to treatment failures causing deathsand an increase in health care costs. A study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of self medication with antibiotics among adults in Misurata city, Libya and to identify factors associated with antibiotic self medication. Adescriptive cross sectional study was carried out at outpatient clinics of Misurata Central Hospital. 277 Adults wereincluded in the study. Data were collected using a pre-designed, structured interviewing questionnaire and analyzedusing SPSS version 20. 64 (39.5%) of 162 antibiotic users identified via the study had used antibiotics without aprescription within a six months before the study period. Male participants using antibiotics as self medication(51.5%) was higher than females (31.2%). The main reason for self medication as reported by the participants wasminor illness and do not worth consultation of physician. Private pharmacies were the main source of nonprescribed antibiotics (70.6%) and about 47% of participants purchased the antibiotics in consultation with a pharmacist. The antibiotics most frequently used in self medication were Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (54.8%) followed byAmoxicillin (25.8%). Respiratory problems such as common cold (49.4%) were the main indication for selfmedication with antibiotics. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in Misurata city is alarmingly high.Effective strategies involving regulatory enforcement prohibiting sales of antibiotics without prescription should beimplemented along with educational interventions for health professionals and the public.