Knowledge, Attitude towards Antibiotic Use, Prevalence and Associated Factors
for Non-Adherence among Adult Outpatients in Public Health Facilities in Edo
State, Nigeria
Ekaete A. Tobin
*
, Martha Okonofua
Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo state, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Background: The observed poor prognosis in several infectious disease treatment emerging from antibiotic resistance
has been attributed to failure to achieve optimum drug concentrations in vivo as a result of non-adherence to
prescribed antibiotic therapy. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of non-adherence and associated factors in
Nigeria.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, 800 consenting attendees at adult general outpatient clinics of 5
secondary and tertiary hospitals in Edo central senatorial district, Edo State, Nigeria were interviewed using pretested
questionnaires following ethical approval to conduct the study. Independent variables were socio-demographic,
knowledge (good/fair/poor), attitude (positive/negative), perceived doctor's support and perceived family support.
The dependent variable was non-adherence to antibiotic treatment in the past 6 months. Data were analysed using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Chi-square test was used for bivariate analysis and significant variables analyzed
with multivariate logistic regression, with statistical significance, p, set as<0.05.
Results: Response rate was 100%. Majority, 360 (45.0%), had poor knowledge and 74 (50.3%) had poor attitude
towards antibiotics use.
One hundred and forty-seven respondents (18.4%) had received an antibiotic prescription in the last 4 months, of
which 75 (51.0%) did not complete the dose, with the most common reason given as remission of symptoms (65.3%).
In multivariate analysis, attitude, perceived support from doctor and family members were negatively associated with
non-adherence.
Conclusion: Interventions to improve antibiotic adherence should be centred around education. clinician-patient
interactions and fostering family support for the sick patient.
Keywords:Non-adherence; Antibiotic; Misuse; Resistance; Public health; Medication; Risk factors
INTRODUCTION
Mediation non-adherence is a global problem that negatively
impacts on therapeutic success, and deepens the economic
burden placed on patients and the health system with the need
for additional consultations, extra and possibly more expensive
drug prescriptions, and increased hospitalization [1]. Non-
adherence to prescribed antibiotics is another form of antibiotic
misuse in a population. Studies have found that non-adherence
has a strong causal relationship with antibiotic resistance due to
failure to achieve optimum antibiotic drug concentrations.
Determinants of non-adherence lie with the patient dispositions
(socio-demographic, knowledge and perceptions towards
antibiotics), the quality of doctor-patient relationship/
communication and factors related to the medication such as
taste and dosing [2]. Common reasons cited for non-adherence
to prescribed antibiotics have included a cessation of symptoms,
forgetfulness, focus on other priorities, lack of information
about the dose [3]. However, factors responsible for non-
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ISSN: 2576-389X
Journal of Infectious Diseases and
Diagnosis
Research Article
Correspondence to: Ekaete A. Tobin, Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo state, Nigeria,
Tel: +2348155368412; E-mail: ekaete.tobin@gmail.com
Received: May 25, 2020; Accepted: June 08, 2020; Published: June 15, 2020
Citation: Tobin EA, Okonofua M (2020) Knowledge, Attitude towards Antibiotic Use, Prevalence and Associated Factors for Non-Adherence
among Adult Outpatients in Public Health Facilities in Edo State, Nigeria. J Infect Dis Diagn.5.135. DOI: 10.35248/2576-389X.20.5.135
Copyright: ©2020 Tobin EA, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
J Infect Dis Diagn, Vol.5 Iss.1 No:135 1