Muhammad Atif|Saima Asghar|Irem Mushtaq|Iram Malik|Anum Amin|Zaheer Ud Din Babar|Shane Scahill
&lt;p&gt;What drives inappropriate use of antibiotics? A mixed methods study from Bahawalpur, Pakistan&lt;/p&gt;
Islamia University of Bahawalpur|Islamia University of Bahawalpur|Islamia University of Bahawalpur|Islamia University of Bahawalpur|Islamia University of Bahawalpur|University of Huddersfield|Massey University
study investigates knowledge attitudes practices general public regarding use antibiotics community pharmacy pakistanthis mixed method study data collected validated questionnaire semistructured interviews convenience sampling techniques used recruit participants general public bahawalpur pakistan visited pharmacies purchase antibiotics 1 june 2018 31 july 2018 descriptive statistics regression analyses used tabulate results quantitative data inductive thematic analysis used identify themes draw conclusions qualitative dataover 60 400 survey participants n246 615 moderate level antibiotic knowledge however attitudes regarding antibiotics use poor half sample n201 503 half n226 566 respondents stated antibiotics could cure types infections one third n129 323 respondents obtained appropriate dosage regimen majority complete course n369 923 stopping felt better inductive thematic analysis yielded four themes 10 subthemes 27 categories two subthemes related knowledge one attitude three practices four subthemes related suggestions improve healthcare system inappropriate antibiotic practices included lack consultation healthcare professionals purchase antibiotics without prescription refilling previous prescription use home supply antibiotics sharing antibiotics others improper dosage regimens early cessation antibiotic therapylevel education low health literacy high consultation fees private practitioners inadequate health facilities government hospitals patient overload busy schedules people poor healthcare infrastructure rural areas unrestricted supply antibiotics key factors associated inappropriate use antibiotics pakistan