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Prevalence of Antibiotic Use and Disposal at Household Level in Informal Settlements of Kisumu, Kenya.
- Source :
-
International journal of environmental research and public health [Int J Environ Res Public Health] 2022 Dec 24; Vol. 20 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Dec 24. - Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- The use and abuse of antibiotics are directly related to the development of drug resistance, a global public health problem. Whereas the majority of research focus is on the use and misuse of antibiotics in drug resistance development, little is known about improper disposal, as a source of contamination in the environment that includes groundwater, especially in informal settlements. This study sought to determine antibiotic use and disposal in informal settlements in Kisumu, Kenya. A random cross-sectional sample of 447 households in selected informal settlements of Kisumu, Kenya was studied. A structured questionnaire was issued to persons heading households. The prevalence of antibiotic use was 43% (n = 193). Among these people, 74% (n = 144) had consulted a health worker in a healthcare facility for a prescription. Respondents did not always complete doses but kept the remainder for the next time they would become ill (54%). About 32% disposed of the remainder of the antibiotics in pit latrines and compost pits (10%) while 4% disposed through burning. Antibiotic use was fairly high despite a low level of awareness of the health effects of consuming water contaminated with antibiotics (35%) (n = 156); p = 0.03. Misuse and inappropriate disposal of antibiotics as identified may lead to a higher risk of antibiotic resistance, increasing the disease burden in the informal settlements.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1660-4601
- Volume :
- 20
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International journal of environmental research and public health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36612608
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010287