Irrational Use of Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance in Southern Rural Bangladesh: Perspectives from Both the Physicians and Patients

Abstract

Aims: Antibiotic resistance is one of the widely recognized public health challenges in Bangladesh. The present study was aimed to analyze the current status of irrational use of antibiotics in rural Bangladesh and to explore the views from both physicians' and patients' perspective. Study Design: Population based survey. Place and Duration of Study: The survey was conducted among 6,000 patients and 580 physicians in the rural areas of Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions of Bangladesh from July 2012 to December 2012. Methodology: The survey followed a face-to-face interview protocol. 24 Upazila Health Complexes and 112 Union Health Centers of Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions were conveniently surveyed by trained volunteer interviewers. Two separate survey questionnaires were developed for physician and patient survey. Results: From the physician survey it was found that significantly more doctors prescribe 1422 antibiotics in suspected infections (P