The pattern of antibiotic use in an urban slum in Lagos State, Nigeria Olanike O. Kehinde and Babatunde E. Ogunnowo Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria Corresponding author: Olanike O. Kehinde email: nikekehinde@hotmail.com, phone no: +234 802 327 9328 ABSTRACT Background: Misuse of antibiotics has the potential of promoting the development of resistant strains of infective agents, thus resulting in increased morbidity and mortality as well as healthcare costs. Objectives: To assess the patterns of antibiotic use and the impact of socio-demographic variables on the observed patterns in Itedo community in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: The research involved a cross-sectional survey among adults 15 years and above in Itedo, an urban slum in Lagos state, Nigeria. Close-ended, structured questionnaires were used for the study. Data collection involved a multi-stage sampling method. Data analyses were done with the aid of SPSS version 15.0 software. Chi-squared test of association was used to test for associations between variables at 95% CI . Results: The level of self-medication ranged from 44.3%-79.2% (for the four most commonly used antibiotics in the community), while the level of non-adherence to antibiotic therapy was found to be 63.4% . Reasons mentioned for non-adherence included lack of understanding of dosage instructions by dispensers from the various sources of purchase (86.9%) and improvement in respondent's health condition(41.2%). The level of education of the respondent was found to be statistically significant in the determination of the source of antibiotic purchase. Conclusion: Self-medication and a high level of non-adherence to antibiotic regimen were common in Itedo community. The documentation of the irrational use of antibiotics by adults in Itedo provides a basis for intervention on more rational use of antibiotics in this community. Key words: Antibiotic, Adherence, Urban Slum, Rational Use INTRODUCTION A description of the pattern of drug use covers the extent and profiles of drug use(as well as trends) and it may be described in terms of prevalence or incidence. Drug use studies can provide a basis for improving safety, efficacy and reducing risks (such as microbial resistance to antibiotics) associated with the use of drugs. The rational use of drugs or medicines is an essential aspect of achieving good and effective health care delivery and this is an essential goal of the 1 WHO. Since drug therapy is a very important aspect of healthcare management, it follows that if drugs are misused or abused, this may have considerable effect on the overall outcome of the health of the individual members of a community and by extension, the whole community with attendant socio-economic implications. Documentation of the pattern of drug use will therefore show whether the drugs are used rationally or otherwise. Medication adherence or compliance describes the degree to which a patient correctly follows instructions about medicine use. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that only 50% of people complete long-term therapy for chronic illnesses as they were prescribed, which puts patient and community health at risk. Once started, patients seldom follow treatment West African Journal of Pharmacy (2013) 24 (1) 49-57 49 West African Journal of Pharmacy (2013) 24 (1)