Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: A Cross-Sectional Survey On The Pattern Of Community Antibiotics Uses Practices In Niger State, North Central Nigeria
by Adamu Mohammed Saba, Olatunji Mathew Kolawole, Abdullahi Muhammad, Olusayo Oyeronke Kolo, and Gana Tsado Moses

Abstract:
Antibiotic resistance has emerged as one of the most pressing public health threats of the 21st century, undermining the effectiveness of drugs that once revolutionized infectious disease treatment and saved millions of lives. In Nigeria, particularly in North Central regions like Niger State, community practices surrounding antibiotic use exacerbate this issue, driven by factors such as self-medication, over-the-counter availability, and limited awareness. This study aimed to investigate the patterns of community antibiotics use practices and resistance in selected healthcare settings in Niger State. A cross-sectional, closed-ended questionnaire was conducted to assess patterns of community antibiotic use practices in rural and urban healthcare settings. This study revealed that (68%) have a good perception while (32%) have wrong perception on respondents� knowledge of antibiotics. Findings from the present study revealed that there is an association which is statistically significant with general knowledge of antibiotic use (?2 = 425.698, P =0.000) (P<0.05) and also a significant correlation existed on the attitude of respondents� practices habit (r) = -0.867, P= 0.000) (P <0.05). Our findings on the causes of antibiotic resistance (ABR), from this study demonstrated that there is a significant correlation with the risk factors attributed to the community's antibiotic use practices of respondents� (r) = -1.000 P = 0.000) (P <0.05). Based on our ?ndings the study concluded that the pattern of community antibiotics use practices poses a substantial public health risk in Niger State due to non-compliance rates of the community populace on knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotic use.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, Knowledge, Community practices, Respondents

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