Antibiotic Misuse among High School Students in Calabar Nigeria

Abstract

Five hundred and sixty high school students from five secondary schools in Calabar, Nigeria were studied for antibiotic usage. Questionnaires where administered to determine the following parameters: Knowledge of antibiotics, types of infections for which antibiotics were taken, sources of prescription and procurement of antibiotics, antibiotic dosage and first part of call on taking ill. Analysis of responses using Chi Square showed that the most patronized sources of antibiotics where patent medicine dealers (36%) and friends/relations (32.5%). Procurement of antibiotics from these sources was significantly higher than procurement from hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies (P=0.05). Antibiotic usage by today's high school students portends gross misuse with consequent great public health threats in the future. There is need for urgent measures to stem the trend. Definite antibiotic policies must be established to prevent the great ease of procuring antibiotics without prescription from unqualified medical personnel.


Key Words: Antibiotics, Misuse, Students


[Mary Slessor Jnl of Medicine Vol.3(1) 2003: 72-74]