INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ANTIBIOTIC MISUSE AMONG YOUTHS AGED (18-30) YEARS IN BUNAMWAYA VILLAGE, MAKINDYE SSABAGABO, WAKISO DISTRICT. ACROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

Most patients generally practice a lot of irrational drug use and the most commonly misused medicines are antimalarials and antibiotics. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the individual and socioeconomic factors contributing to antibiotic misuse among youths aged 18-30 in Bunamwaya Village, Makindye Ssabagabo, Wakiso District.

Methodology

The researcher used a descriptive cross-sectional design, employing quantitative data collection methods. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 50 respondents who were randomly sampled. Data was analyzed using the Microsoft Excel program and data was presented in the forms of tables, pie charts, and graphs.

Results

The majority of the participants 23(46%) were aged between (23-27) years, with close to 31(62%) of the respondents being males and 16(32%) having attained primary level of education. The established individual factors were; Feeling better before completing the dosage 35(70%), Feeling that combined use of antibiotics was more effective than using one antibiotic 36(72%) and 40(80%) were not aware that overuse of antibiotics leads to resistance.

The study also showed that; 25(50%) of the participants mentioned that their economic status strongly influenced their healthcare decisions, and 43(86%) said that they had ever used antibiotics without completing the prescribed dosage due to financial constraints.

Conclusion

Factors such as feeling better before completing the dosage, beliefs that the combined use of antibiotics is more effective than using one antibiotic, lack of awareness that overuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance and financial constraints strongly influenced antibiotic misuse.

Recommendations

The Ministry of Health should ensure maximum health education about the dangers of misusing drugs in communities.

The MOH should also ensure that there are adequate drugs and healthcare providers in health facilities.