Self-medication with antibiotics among non-academic staff members of a Sri Lankan state university

Introduction: Studies have shown that the public knowledge on antibiotics is poor although antibiotic self-medication common. This study aimed to determine and utilization patterns with regard among non-academic staff members of a Sri Lankan University. Methods: descriptive cross-sectional study, selected state university in Western Province Lanka. Consecutive sampling was used data were obtained using self-administered questionnaire analysed SPSS, version-22. Results: There 321 participants (response rate - 80%); 61.5% females; mean age 36.8±8.8 years. Of 40.2% self-medicated at least once during past 12 months. Out them 73.6% amoxicillin. Commonest disease treated common cold (68.2%). The commonest reason for they had been prescribed same medicines similar symptoms (78.2%). who 89.9% got from community pharmacy. Antibiotics stopped by 87.6% when their disappeared 64% kept leftover home future usage. Majority respondents, 206/321 (64.17%) showed low level knowledge, while 105/321 (32.71%) moderate only 10/321 (3.12%) high knowledge. median score 58 (Interquartile range, IQR: 42 67) meaning overall inadequate. Conclusions: More than one-third practicing antibiotics. practices