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Use of antibacterials in the management of symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections among children under five years in Gulu, northern Uganda: Prevalence and determinants.
- Source :
-
PloS one [PLoS One] 2020 Jun 23; Vol. 15 (6), pp. e0235164. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jun 23 (Print Publication: 2020). - Publication Year :
- 2020
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Abstract
- Inappropriate use of antibacterials is a major public health challenge as it can promote emergence of resistance, wastage of financial resources, morbidity and mortality. In this study, we determined the prevalence and factors associated with antibacterial use in managing symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) in households in rural communities of Gulu district, northern Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted among households selected using multi-stage sampling. Data were collected through interviews with care-givers of children under five years, using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Out of the 856 children who had symptoms of ARIs, 515 (60.2%; CI: 54.5%-65.6%) were treated with antibacterials. The most commonly used antibacterials were amoxicillin (55.2%, n = 358), cotrimoxazole (15.4%, n = 100) and metronidazole (11.4%, n = 74). The determinants of antibacterial use included; getting treatment from a health facility (AOR: 1.85, CI: 1.34-2.56, P < 0.001), households located in peri-urban area (AOR: 2.54, CI: 1.34-4.84, P = 0.005), and a child having cough (AOR: 7.02, CI: 4.36-11.31, P < 0.001). The prevalence of antibacterial use among children under five years with symptoms of ARIs is high in communities of Gulu district, northern Uganda. Getting treatment from a health facility, if a household was located in a peri-urban area and having a cough are positive predictors of antibacterial use. There is need for targeted education on appropriate antibacterial use in rural communities and hospital settings where over prescription is most likely especially in treating symptoms of ARIs among children under five years.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
- Subjects :
- Amoxicillin therapeutic use
Child, Preschool
Cough complications
Cough diagnosis
Cough drug therapy
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Surveys methods
Health Surveys statistics & numerical data
Humans
Infant
Logistic Models
Male
Metronidazole therapeutic use
Multivariate Analysis
Prevalence
Respiratory Tract Infections complications
Respiratory Tract Infections diagnosis
Respiratory Tract Infections epidemiology
Risk Factors
Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination therapeutic use
Uganda epidemiology
Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use
Respiratory Tract Infections drug therapy
Rural Health Services statistics & numerical data
Rural Population statistics & numerical data
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1932-6203
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- PloS one
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32574206
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235164