technicians).while twenty five others had undergone an apprenticeship under ... PPMV's are individuals without formal medical/pharmaceutical training who sell ...
HOW MUCH DO PATENT MEDICINE VENDORS REALLY KNOW ABOUT ANTIBIOTICS? Abdu-Aguye, S. N1, Yunusa, A. N1, Ma’aji, H.U1, Labaran, K.S1, Yusuf, H.2 1
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy practice, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.
2
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
Abstract Patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVS) are the first port of call for medicines by members of the public for a wide range of common ailments. While they are not legally allowed to dispense antibiotics, Regulatory lapses in the Nigerian healthcare system ensure that they commonly engage in this practice. Therefore, assessing their knowledge on appropriate antibiotic usage principles/practices is important to help inform effective policy decisions. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge of PPMV’s on antibiotics. A cross sectional survey utilizing a sample size of 100 PPMVS in Zaria, Kaduna state was carried out in October 2015. A validated questionnaire containing 14 questions in four sections that had been used to evaluate antibiotic knowledge in other studies both within and outside Nigeria was employed. The instrument assessed respondents’ knowledge of antibiotic indications, ability to correctly identify antibiotics, dangers associated with use and correct administration procedures. Majority of the surveyed patent vendors were male (72%) and over half (52%) had obtained some type of post-secondary educational qualification. Twenty one vendors reported receiving some type of allied medical training (nursing, medical lab technology and pharmacy technicians).while twenty five others had undergone an apprenticeship under another vendor. Overall, Sixty five percent of vendors answered at least 10 out of the 14 questions correctly. However several knowledge gaps were identified. Over half (63%) of surveyed vendors believed that antibiotics could be used to cure viral infections. Twenty six percent of vendors believed that antibiotics had no side effects, while 29% and 38% respectively believed that piriton(R) and aspirin were antibiotics. In addition, only 52% of vendors understood the importance of taking a complete course of any antibiotic. In conclusion, while majority of the surveyed vendors were largely knowledgeable on antibiotic identification, they still harbored some significant misconceptions in other areas. Keywords: Patent vendors, Antibiotic usage, Knowledge
1. Background PPMV’s are individuals without formal medical/pharmaceutical training who sell pharmaceutical products for profit1. While they are legally only permitted to sell common over the counter (OTC) medicines, regulatory lapses ensure that they commonly sell prescription-only medicines like antibiotics. Consequently, assessing their knowledge of antibiotics is important if useful policies to ensure rational antibiotic use are to be formulated and implemented 2. Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of PPMVS with regards to various aspects of rational antibiotic use. 3. Methods A cross sectional survey was carried out in October 2015 on a group of 100 conveniently sampled PPMVS in Zaria, Kaduna state. The survey instrument contained 14 statements in four sections and had been used to evaluate antibiotic knowledge in other studies both within and outside Nigeria2-3. The instrument assessed respondents’ knowledge of antibiotic indications, ability to correctly identify antibiotics, dangers associated with use and correct administration procedures. 4. Results Table 1: Demographic data of respondents Characteristics Sex
Age (years)
Educational level
Any Specific training
PPMVs (%) Male
72
Female
28
18-30
54
31-40
29
41-50
14
51-60
3
Primary
6
Secondary
42
Tertiary
47
Post graduate
5
Apprentice
25
Pharmacy technician
2
Allied medical field
19
Table 2: Knowledge of Antibiotic indications Statement
Correct answer (%)
Incorrect answer (%)
Unsure (%)
Antibiotics are medicines that can kill bacteria.
100
0
0
Antibiotics can be used to treat viral infections.
37
57
6
Antibiotics can cure all infection.
54
37
9
Antibiotics are used to relieve body pain.
86
11
3
Antibiotics are used to stop fever.
71
26
3
Table 3: Ability to identify antibiotics Statement
Correct answer (%)
Incorrect answer (%)
Unsure (%)
Paracetamol is an antibiotic.
87
10
3
Ampicillin is an antibiotic.
94
4
2
Piriton is an antibiotic.
71
15
14
Aspirin is a new generation antibiotic
62
17
21
Table 4: Knowledge of dangers associated with Antibiotic use Statement
Correct answer (%)
Incorrect answer (%)
Unsure (%)
Overuse of antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance
85
3
12
Antibiotics can cause allergic reaction.
76
12
12
All antibiotics do not have side effects.
74
15
11
Table 5: knowledge of correct antibiotic administration practices Statement
Correct answer (%)
Incorrect answer (%)
Unsure (%)
Antibiotics may be effective even if you did not complete treatment
63
28
9
You can stop taking antibiotics if you are well.
52
44
4
Table 6: Total knowledge score Level of knowledge
Total score
Percentage (%)
Poor
0-4
2
Moderate
5-9
33
Good
10-14
65
5. Conclusion Generally, majority of the surveyed vendors could correctly identify antibiotics. However, several of them still harbored significant misconceptions in other areas 6. References 1. Brieger W. Interactions between patent medicine vendors and customers in urban and rural Nigeria. Health Policy and Planning. 2004;19(3):177-182. 2. Auta A, Banwat S, David S, Dangiwa D, Ogbole E, Tor-anyiin A. Antibiotic Use in Some Nigerian Communities: Knowledge and Attitudes of Consumers. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2014;12(6):1087. 3. Hassali M, Ling Oh A, Al-Haddad M, Syed Sulaiman S, Shafie A, Awaisu A. Public knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic usage: a cross-sectional study among the general public in the state of Penang, Malaysia. J Infect Dev Ctries. 2011;5(05).
