QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF ANTIBIOTICS: SELF-MEDICATION,DISPENSING AND PRESCRIBING BEHAVIOUR IN KASSALA STATE OF SUDAN

Abstract

Back ground: The prevalent over use of antibiotics In Sudan and the eastern Kassala state requires further study of physicians’ decision-making process, pharmacists’ antibiotics dispensing pattern as well as patients’ antibiotic self-medication pattern in National Health Insurance Fund in Sudan. Objective: This study therefore seeks to explore and investigate health care professionals and patients’ knowledge and attitudes that influence their behavior of prescribing and using antibiotics in Kassala State. Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Kassala State. The data were collected from 18 participants, who from three localities i.e. (5 specialists, 6 general practitioners, 2 pharmacists, 2 medical assistants and 3 patients). The qualitative thematic analysis was done used Nvivo 10. Results: The findings reveal that; most antibiotic prescribers and pharmacists are influenced by intrinsic factors such as practice years, attitudes (i.e. confidence, fear, and responsibility) and extrinsic factors such as; patients related factors, health system factors and pharmaceutical companies. Self-medicated patients appear to have incorrect knowledge about and inappropriate behaviour towards antibiotic use. Conclusion: Interventions to overcome the challenge of antibiotic overuse in kassala state are recommended. These include education, regulation, implementation of Standard Treatment Guidelines (for health professionals) and programs to promote greater education about antibiotics usage in the general population of Kassala State.