DETERMINANT AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ABUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE IN UMUOFOR EGBU, OWERRI

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the determinants and attitude towards the abuse of antibiotics in sexually transmitted diseases in Umuofor Egbu of Owerri, Imo State. Three specific objectives and research questions were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used for this study. The target population for this study comprised of adults in Umuofor Egbu, Owerri in Imo state, who were involved as participants in the data collection process for analysis. The major tool used for data collection was a self-developed questionnaire. Data generated for the study was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages and the results were presented in tables. Results revealed that majority of the respondents (78%) stop taking the antibiotic therapy prescribed by your doctor when you are feeling better; 75.4% believed that the role of antibiotic treatment duration is very important in health outcome; 84.5% believed that although taking antibiotics without a prescription is not advisable it is very prevalent; and 69% were of the opinion that antibiotic resistance can be stopped by using fewer antibiotics and only when prescribed. Analysis of data shows the factors associated with antibiotics abuse among patients with sexually transmitted diseases to include lack of clinician (76.4%), time constraints (75.5%), cost cutting (81.9%), long delays in health facility (73.5%), and previous experience of medical treatment of the same symptoms (81%). Lastly, results revealed the most commonly abused antibiotics to include Azithromycin (89.3%), Ceftriaxone (72.4%), Penicillin G (78.9%), Ciprofloxacin (84.2%), Doxycycline (80.7%), and Tetracycline (78.5%). It was recommended that regulatory bodies and health stakeholders should focus on strengthening and promoting implementation of health education programmes directed at covering information about self-medication. This will help eliminate some of the challenges identified in the current study and promote positive health outcome.