The evaluation of self-pharmacy workers’ information, attitudes and behaviors about the antibiotic usage in Van, Turkey

Abstract

Inappropriate use of drugs is a serious problem in the world. Correct antibiotic use is an important factor for treatment of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to determine Behavior and point of view of pharmacy employees to sale of antibiotics without a prescription. The study population comprised pharmacy employees (pharmacists and others) in Van between August and November 2016. A face to face questionnaire was applied to pharmacy employees in cross-sectional study. The first part of the questionnaire consisted 6 questions for sociodemographic characteristics and the second part consisted 17 questions to evaluate behavior and point of view. There are a hundred pharmacies in Van. A total of 75 pharmacies agreed to participate the questionnaire. A total of 159 employes answered the questionnaire, 54 were pharmacists and 105 were other employes. There were no weeks in which asked for antibiotics without a prescription from pharmacies. Most of the employes reported that parents have started antibiotics without prescription for their children at a rate of 10-60 %. The most common complaints/illnesses that had been requested non-prescription antibiotic were upper respiratory tract infection and tooth abscess. The most commonly non-prescribed drugs were painkillers, antibiotics and vitamins, respectively. Improper use of antibiotics by our people is still high. There are many reasons for inappropriate antibiotic use. Pharmacies are an important step in order to prevent wrong and inappropriate use of antibiotic.