Empirical Study of the Prevalence and Determinants of Antibiotic Self-Medication in Urban Households in Kaduna State

Antibiotic self-medication in urban Nigerian households contributes significantly to antimicrobial resistance, and understanding its prevalence and determinants in specific geopolitical contexts is necessary for targeted interventions. This study empirically investigated the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of antibiotic self-medication in urban households in Kaduna, Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted using multi-stage random sampling across four urban LGAs, with 600 household respondents recruited. A validated questionnaire assessed antibiotic self-medication behaviours in the preceding six months, antibiotic types used, sources of antibiotics, perceived indications, and awareness of antimicrobial resistance. Logistic regression identified significant determinants of self-medication behaviour. Results showed a prevalence of antibiotic self-medication of 62.3 percent. Amoxicillin (54.8 percent) and ampicillin/cloxacillin (28.6 percent) were the most commonly self-administered antibiotics, predominantly obtained from patent medicine vendors (71.4 percent) without prescription. Upper respiratory tract infection was the most cited self-treated indication (44.2 percent), followed by urinary symptoms (26.8 percent). Significant determinants of antibiotic self-medication included previous successful self-treatment experience (OR 4.6), low income (OR 3.1), and low educational attainment (OR 2.8). Awareness of antimicrobial resistance was present in only 31.7 percent of self-medicating respondents. The study provides the first systematic empirical analysis of antibiotic self-medication determinants from urban Kaduna and recommends community-based antimicrobial resistance awareness campaigns and regulation of patent medicine dealers.

Keywords: antibiotic self-medication, antimicrobial resistance, urban households, Kaduna State, patent medicine vendors