ArticleMalawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi2019
Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to self-medication with antimicrobials in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Article in Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
23 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 42 citations in OpenAlex.
- The global prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among the adult population: systematic review and meta-analysis.Systematic reviews · 2025Pooled it
- Understanding the Gaps in Home Medication Safety: A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavioral Determinants.Public health challenges · 2026Article
- Non-prescription antibiotics dispensing for common infections using simulated patients.Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy · 2026Article
- Using the Q-method to explore pregnant and breastfeeding women's perceptions of antibiotic use in Mahajanga, Northwest Madagascar.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Status and implications of the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards AWaRe antibiotic use, resistance and stewardship among low- and middle-income countries.JAC-antimicrobial resistance · 2025Review
- Prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance among community members in Neno District rural Malawi: A cross-sectional study.IJID regions · 2024Article
- Influences on use of antibiotics without prescription by the public in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative evidence.JAC-antimicrobial resistance · 2024Review
- Self-medication among general population in the European Union: prevalence and associated factors.European journal of epidemiology · 2024Article
- Community pharmacist intervention in doxycycline self-medication for acne among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia.Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society · 2024Article
- Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Antibiotic Use and Resistance among Poultry Farmers in Nepal.Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Assessment of home storage of antimicrobials and its predictors in Mecha demographic surveillance and field research center: a cross-sectional study.BMC infectious diseases · 2023Article
- Article
- Information sources, attitudes, and practices of Self-Medication by Jordanian patients: A cross-sectional study.Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society · 2023Article
- Understanding Public Knowledge and Behavior Regarding Antibiotic Use in Indonesia.Infection and drug resistance · 2023Article
- Utilization of health belief model in comprehending diarrheal disease dynamics: a case of cryptosporidiosis in Uganda.BMC public health · 2022Article
- Review
- Scoping Review of National Antimicrobial Stewardship Activities in Eight African Countries and Adaptable Recommendations.Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- "I don't hesitate to use the left-over antibiotics for my child" practices and experiences with antibiotic use among caregivers of paediatric patients at Zomba central hospital in Malawi.BMC pediatrics · 2022Article
- Assessing the Effects of Basic Medical Science Courses on the Knowledge and Attitude towards Antibiotic Usage among Pre-Professional Students in Saudi Arabia.Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- The use of non-prescribed antibiotics; prevalence estimates in low-and-middle-income countries. A systematic review and meta-analysis.Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: The use of antimicrobials is associated with the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and self-medication increases the risk of the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. This study aims to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding self-medication with antimicrobials among residents in Lilongwe, Malawi. Methodology: This study has a cross-sectional, mixed-methods design. We conducted two focus group discussions (n=15) to describe community attitudes towards self-medication with antimicrobials and used a structured questionnaire to collect data on individual KAP regarding self-medication from 105 respondents. Results: Self-medication was common, and the sources of these medicines were market vendors, pharmacies, drugs shared with friends and family and those leftover from previous treatments. The lack of medical supplies, long distances to health facilities, poor attitudes of medical professionals towards patients, and past experience with the disease and treatment are the main factors that influence self-medication. KAP respondents had little knowledge of antimicrobials, their use, or any awareness of AMR. Seventy-four per cent (n=78) were unable to differentiate antimicrobials from other categories of medicines, and 92.4% wrongly responded that antimicrobials could be used to stop a fever. Concerning attitudes towards self-medication, over 54% wrongly believe that antimicrobials are effective in treating common colds. In regard to practice, 53% reported that they would use antimicrobials to treat upper respiratory infections, and 41% agreed that they must complete antibiotic therapy even if they are improving. Logistic regression analysis found that stocking antimicrobials at home for future use significantly promotes self-medication whereas an awareness of AMR would reduce self-medication. Conclusion: Self-medication is a public health risk that needs to be addressed urgently. Findings from this study point to the need for multifaceted interventions.
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Registered trials
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