Public Practices Towards Antibiotics: A Qualitative Study

Background: Antibiotic resistance is becoming a serious threat throughout the world. General community misuse and misconceptions in using antibiotics have been predicted to play a role in increasing antibacterial resistance (ABR). This study aimed to reveal the practicing antibiotic in the community, as information for national programs for reducing inappropriate antibiotic usage.Methods: This study was a qualitative phenomenology approach, and the data collection was with in-depth interview. Semi-structured interviews with the interview guide were conducted from June 2019 to December 2019. Interview responses were transcribed, categorized, and coded for themes by thematic content analysis.Results: We approached 26 participants. The most antibiotic used by participants was Amoxicillin and Superera (R). Most participants did not know that antibiotics must be obtained from a pharmacy with a doctor's prescription. Even so, although some respondents already knew that antibiotics could only be obtained by prescription, some of them still get antibiotics without a prescription. Most informants got antibiotics from health workers (doctor-dispensed antibiotics, pharmacy staff, midwives, nurses) or non-health workers (stalls). Some of them used antibiotics as self-medication for reducing cold, flu, fever, pain, cough, headache, fired, and sore throat. Most respondents stopped their medicine when they were getting well, kept the remained antibiotics, and used it if they get sick in the future. Few participants shared their antibiotics to the family member.Conclusions: Misuse and misconceptions about antibiotics occur in the general community. It is essential to educate the general public on an understanding of how to obtain and use rational antibiotics.