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Is the level of knowledge a predictor of rational antibiotic use in Serbia?

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Listed:
  • Olga J Horvat
  • Ana D Tomas
  • Milica M Paut Kusturica
  • Alisa V Savkov
  • Dragica U Bukumirić
  • Zdenko S Tomić
  • Ana J Sabo

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding antibiotics of the general population. Methods: The study sample consisted of adult subjects who consulted general practitioners at health centers in Serbia and agreed to complete the questionnaire. A total of 668 questionnaires were distributed; 500 respondents completed the entire questionnaire (response rate 74.85%). Results: The average age was 51.65 ± 16.56 years, 60.80% of the respondents were women. The median antibiotic knowledge score was 9. Predictors of adequate antibiotic knowledge were higher education level and a family member whose ocuppation was related to health-care. Overall, 58.4% of respondents believed that antibiotics could be used to treat common cold. Around a half of the respondents (47.2%) self-medicated with antibiotics at least once during their life-time, and around a quarter (24.2%) during the last treatment of infection. Patients with inadequate knowledge had 3 times higher chances of self-medicating with antibiotics compared to those with adequate knowledge. Although 98.20% of respondents claimed that antibiotic treatment should be started after a visit to a doctor and receiving a prescription, only 65.8% obtained antibiotics with prescription from a doctor during the last infection. Conclusions: Although these results demonstrate that respondents had a relatively adequate level of knowledge regarding antibiotics use, some areas of misconceptions and improper behavior were identified. Therefore, further rationalization should be focused on educational campaigns targeting the behavior of patients with regard to antibiotic use.

Suggested Citation

  • Olga J Horvat & Ana D Tomas & Milica M Paut Kusturica & Alisa V Savkov & Dragica U Bukumirić & Zdenko S Tomić & Ana J Sabo, 2017. "Is the level of knowledge a predictor of rational antibiotic use in Serbia?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0180799
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180799
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martina Vallin & Maria Polyzoi & Gaetano Marrone & Senia Rosales-Klintz & Karin Tegmark Wisell & Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg, 2016. "Knowledge and Attitudes towards Antibiotic Use and Resistance - A Latent Class Analysis of a Swedish Population-Based Sample," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Francesco Napolitano & Maria Teresa Izzo & Gabriella Di Giuseppe & Italo F Angelillo, 2013. "Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experience Regarding the Use of Antibiotics in Italy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(12), pages 1-6, December.
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    1. Alistair Anderson, 2018. "Online health information and public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding antibiotics in the UK: Multiple regression analysis of Wellcome Monitor and Eurobarometer Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Ana Tomas Petrović & Nebojša Pavlović & Nebojša Stilinović & Nikola Lalović & Milica Paut Kusturica & Tihomir Dugandžija & Dragana Zaklan & Olga Horvat, 2022. "Self-Medication Perceptions and Practice of Medical and Pharmacy Students in Serbia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Olga Horvat & Ana Tomas & Milica Paut Kusturica & Dragica Bukumiric & Bojan Blagojevic & Zorana Kovacevic, 2020. "Serbian students’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards antibiotic use: is there room for improvement?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(8), pages 1257-1267, November.

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