A Comparative Study to Assess the Knowledge and Expressed Practice of Over-the-Counter Antibiotics use in the Selected Urban and Rural Community of Shimla, H.P.

Background: Over-the-counter antibiotics use is a common practice in countries with poor pharmaceutical regulations and is a main factor for the spread of antimicrobial resistance due to its non-reliance on pre-treatment microbiologic work-up, improper indications and dosing errors. The practice of over-the-counter antibiotics is different in both urban and rural areas of India due to factors like education, economics and availability of health center and pharmaceutical store. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice of over-the-counter antibiotics use in selected urban and rural community of Shimla and make a comparison between the knowledge and practice score. Methodology: A Comparative research is conducted among 120 adults of 20 years and above selected using convenient sampling technique in urban (Boileauganj) and rural (Chamyana) community of Shimla, H.P to assess the knowledge and practice of over-the-counter antibiotics use. A Self Structured knowledge questionnaire and expressed practice checklist was prepared. Result: The findings revealed that the majority of urban community adults have adequate knowledge (53.3%) related to antibiotics use whereas for the rural community majority of adults have low antibiotics use knowledge (51.7%) (pless than 0.001). 90% adults in urban community have moderate practice, in rural community 31.7% have moderate practice and 68.3% subjects have low level of over-the-counter antibiotics practice. The rural community has less knowledge and practice of over-the-counter antibiotics use than urban community.