Table 4 Respondents attitudes toward antibiotic use (N = 964)
Statements | Strongly disagree n (%) | Disagree n (%) | Neutral n (%) | Agree n (%) | Strongly agree n (%) | Mean ± SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
I expect antibiotics to be prescribed together with antimalaria | 275 (28.5) | 236 (24.5) | 160 (16.6) | 183 (19.0) | 110 (11.4) | 2.60 ± 1.370 |
The use of antibiotics prevents the symptoms of cold/sore throat from getting worse | 62 (6.4) | 115 (11.9) | 145 (15.0) | 358 (37.1) | 284 (29.5) | 3.71 ± 1.192 |
I believe antibiotics cure my cold/sore-throat faster | 288 (29.9) | 245 (25.4) | 218 (22.6) | 136 (14.1) | 77 (8.0) | 2.45 ± 1.268 |
It is permissible to take left-over antibiotics when I have cold or other related symptoms | 127 (13.2) | 151 (15.7) | 185 (19.2) | 269 (27.9) | 232 (24.1) | 3.34 ± 1.346 |
I can stop taking the prescribed antibiotics once I get better | 171 (17.7) | 175 (18.2) | 127 (13.2) | 210 (21.8) | 281 (29.1) | 3.26 ± 1.486 |
I can recommend prescribed antibiotics for family and friends for the same illness | 137 (14.2) | 195 (20.2) | 141 (14.6) | 208 (21.6) | 283 (29.4) | 3.32 ± 1.436 |
I prefer to run a laboratory test before taking antibiotics | 21 (2.2) | 76 (7.9) | 215 (22.3) | 256 (26.6) | 396 (41.1) | 3.96 ± 1.070 |
Antibiotics should not be used to boost or cleanse the immune system | 106 (11.0) | 133 (13.8) | 211 (21.9) | 215 (22.3) | 299 (31.0) | 3.49 ± 1.345 |
It is good to mix body creams with antibiotic creams to tone/bleach the skin for babies and adults | 107 (11.1) | 73 (7.6) | 149 (15.5) | 187 (19.4) | 448 (46.5) | 3.83 ± 1.376 |
All stooling should be stopped with an antibiotic | 106 (11.0) | 155 (16.1) | 269 (27.9) | 230 (23.9) | 204 (21.2) | 3.28 ± 1.268 |
I will get the antibiotics from another pharmacy if the pharmacist insists on not dispensing it | 153 (15.9) | 184 (19.1) | 203 (21.1) | 195 (20.2) | 229 (23.8) | 3.17 ± 1.397 |
Antibiotics should be used to prevent infections | 284 (29.5) | 264 (27.4) | 201 (20.9) | 113 (11.7) | 102 (10.6) | 2.47 ± 1.307 |
I prefer to take antibiotics with blood tonic, because they reduce blood volume | 206 (21.40) | 159 (16.5) | 263 (27.3) | 163 (16.9) | 173 (17.9) | 2.94 ± 1.380 |