FARMAKOEPIDEMIOLOŠKO ISPITIVANJE PRIMJENE ANTIBIOTIKA KOD PROSVJETNIH RADNIKA NA PROSTORU OPĆINE TRAVNIK TOKOM COVID-A
PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF ANTIBIOTIC USE AMONG EDUCATIONAL WORKERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TRAVNIK DURING COVID-19

Summary/Abstract: Antibiotics have, without a doubt completely changed the course and outcome of many infectious diseases and infections in the broadest sense of the word: they are the most powerful and most commonly used medications of today. Antibiotic resistance is a global public health problem. The irrational use of antibiotics is a phenomenon that affects virtually all countries in the world, including our own. The main factors that enable the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics are the lack of knowledge and awareness among the general population, as well as healthcare professionals. The aim of the study is to examine the state of antibiotic consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, their irrational use, as well as the habits related to antibiotic use among educational workers in the Travnik municipality. During the 2022-2023 period, a study was conducted in the Travnik municipality regarding the use of antibiotics among educational workers from all primary and secondary schools. The primary method used was surveying, with data collected through an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire included general information about educational workers and questions related to antibiotic use, the use of borrowed antibiotics, as well as the most common methods and ways of obtaining antibiotics, and the proper usage of the same. A total of 669 educational workers aged 30 to 60 years and older participated in the study, with 237 (35.42%) men and 432 (64.57%) women. During the study, we found that the highest number of male participants, 117 (49%), and female participants, 278 (64%), primarily use antibiotics for bacterial infections. According to the data, 172 (72%) of male participants and 326 (75%) of female participants do not use borrowed antibiotics, which is a positive finding. The most common way of obtaining antibiotics for both men, 215 (90%), and women, 399 (92%), was exclusively through a prescription from a doctor. Although the incorrect use of antibiotics includes unnecessary and improper usage, i.e., using them when they are not needed, most of the participants, despite their limited knowledge as they state, are very aware of the problems related to antibiotic use.

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