Inadequate knowledge about antibiotics among consumers in Nigeria is a large contributing factor to their misuse, which is accelerating the worrying trend of increasing antibiotic resistance.
A cornerstone of modern medicine, antibiotics are used to treat infections by killing harmful bacteria. But they are becoming increasingly ineffective due to microbes becoming more resistant to them. While the development of resistance is a natural process, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics is greatly accelerating this concerning trend.
Ignorance among consumers about antibiotics and their proper use is thought to be a major factor in driving their misuse, especially in middle-income countries such as Nigeria.By surveying consumers at pharmacies in Ibadan, Nigeria, two researchers at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria have investigated public perceptions of antibiotics and their use.
The results, published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, revealed that a significant majority of respondents had a poor knowledge about antibiotics and held misconceptions about their use. For instance, many believed antibiotics could treat all infections, including those caused by viruses and fungi. Alarmingly, malaria was the most common reason for using antibiotics, despite having no efficacy against the disease-causing protozoans.
These findings have serious implications for antibiotic resistance. The researchers call for increased public-awareness campaigns about antibiotics, stricter enforcement of prescription-only policies, and responsible prescribing practices.
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