Drug Use Behaviors and Awareness in Telangana: A Study on Antibiotics, NSAIDs, and Acid-Suppressants

Background: The high and unregulated usage of antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs, and acid suppressant medications has brought several emerging issues related to public health, such as drug interactions, addiction to self-treatment, and antibiotic resistance. There is a need to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the population regarding these widely consumed drugs in order to establish effective education and regulation programs.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to measure the awareness and behavior of the general population in relation to the rational use of antibiotics, NSAIDs, and acid suppressant drugs, as well as to establish the relationship between demographic factors and self-medication practices.

Methodology: The survey was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in which 400 participants aged 18 years or older were included. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data in order to determine the level of knowledge, patterns of medication use, and the relationship between education, age, and self-medication behavior.

Findings: A total of 400 respondents participated in the study, with the majority being young adults aged between 18 and 25 years (58.5%) and having higher levels of education. Antibiotic use in the past six months was reported by (83.7%) of participants, with the most commonly used antibiotics being amoxicillin clavulanic acid (16.2%) and amoxicillin (12%). Prescriptions were used by (66%) of participants to obtain antibiotics, while (34%) accessed antibiotics without a prescription, and only half of the users completed the full course of treatment. Self-medication was common (67.2%), most frequently involving paracetamol and acid suppressant drugs, mainly due to previous experience (54.5%) or convenient access (21.5%). The use of acid suppressants was frequent (64.5%) and generally unmonitored. The main sources of information were doctors (43.8%) and pharmacists (29.8%), and (85.2%) of respondents expressed willingness to receive educational content, indicating the need to strengthen awareness regarding rational and safe drug use. Self-medication was prevalent across all education levels, and a statistically significant association was found between level of education and self-medication practices (p < 0.05). Failure to complete the prescribed course of antibiotics showed a strong and statistically significant correlation with the use of acid suppressant medications (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant lack of knowledge and widespread irrational use of antibiotics, NSAIDs, and acid suppressant medications. However, the high willingness of the population to receive education presents an opportunity for implementing community based educational interventions, pharmacist led counseling, and public health campaigns. Improving awareness and promoting the rational use of medications can reduce drug misuse and adverse effects and contribute to combating antibiotic resistance.