IntroductionThe objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding antibiotics of the general population.MethodsThe study sample consisted of adult subjects who consulted general practitioners at health centers in Serbia and agreed to complete the questionnaire. A total of 668 questionnaires were distributed; 500 respondents completed the entire questionnaire (response rate 74.85%).ResultsThe average age was 51.65 ± 16.56 years, 60.80% of the respondents were women. The median antibiotic knowledge score was 9. Predictors of adequate antibiotic knowledge were higher education level and a family member whose ocuppation was related to health-care. Overall, 58.4% of respondents believed that antibiotics could be used to treat common cold. Around a half of the respondents (47.2%) self-medicated with antibiotics at least once during their life-time, and around a quarter (24.2%) during the last treatment of infection. Patients with inadequate knowledge had 3 times higher chances of self-medicating with antibiotics compared to those with adequate knowledge. Although 98.20% of respondents claimed that antibiotic treatment should be started after a visit to a doctor and receiving a prescription, only 65.8% obtained antibiotics with prescription from a doctor during the last infection.ConclusionsAlthough these results demonstrate that respondents had a relatively adequate level of knowledge regarding antibiotics use, some areas of misconceptions and improper behavior were identified. Therefore, further rationalization should be focused on educational campaigns targeting the behavior of patients with regard to antibiotic use.

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IntroductionAn ongoing issue of expired medications accumulating in some households is a universal problem around the world. The aim of the study was to investigate the extent and structure of expired medications in Serbian households, and to determine which therapeutic groups generated the most waste.MethodsThis was an observational, cross-sectional study conducted in households in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. The study had been performed over 8 month period (December 2011 - July 2012) and it consisted of personal insights into the medication inventory in households.ResultsOf 1008 families, 383 agreed to participate and complete the questionnaire (38.3% response rate). In almost a half of households (44.4%), expired medications were maintained. The amount of expired medications was 402 items, corresponding to 9.2% of total medications presented in surveyed households. The majority of expired medications (64.7%) was in solid dosage (tablets, capsules, granules, lozenges), following semisolid (ointments, creams, gel, suppositories) and liquid dosage forms (drops, syrups). Expired medications in the households belonged mostly to 3 categories: antimicrobials for systemic use (16.7%), dermatological preparation (15.9%) and medications for alimentary tract and metabolism (14.2%).ConclusionsThis study revealed that there were relatively large quantities of expired medications in Serbian households, with a high prevalence of antibiotics for systemic use, anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products, and medications for alimentary tract and metabolism.

Background Irregular antibiotic use, including self-medication contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance. One method of accessing antibiotic use in the community is through obtaining an in house inventory of drugs. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of storage and self-medication with antibiotics agents in households in Novi Sad, Serbia. Setting Households in Novi Sad. Method The study was performed during a 4-month period (October 2015-January 2016) using a sample of 112 households in Novi Sad, Serbia. Two trained interviewers performed the survey by visiting each household. The study consisted of making an inventory of all drugs in household and a semi-structured interview about drug use practices and perceptions. Main outcome measure Number of antibiotics obtained without prescription. Results Out of 112 surveyed households, antibiotics were encountered in 55 (49.1%). Antibiotics constituted 11.98% (92/768) of total number of drug items in households. Out of all antibiotics in households, 41 (44.57%) were not in current use, and presented left-overs from previous treatment. Antibiotics were usually acquired with prescription (67, 67.7%), while about a quarter of packages were used for self-medication-purchased at pharmacy without prescription (19, 20.65%) or obtained through friends or family member (6, 6.52%).The most commonly used antibiotics for self-medication was amoxicillin (reported indications included common cold, cough, pharyngitis and tooth-ache). Conclusion Antibiotics were present in large share of households in Novi Sad. Self-medication with antibiotics and sale of antibiotics without prescription represent an important problem in Serbia.

Aim: To determine the association of sociodemographic characteristics and type of alcoholic beverage consumed during binge drinking in Serbia. Method: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the 2014 national survey on Serbian lifestyles focusing on substance abuse and gambling. The sample consisted of 5385 individuals. The respondents were divided into non-binge drinkers and binge drinkers, according to the quantity of alcohol consumed during one occasion. Binge drinkers reported consuming more than 60 g of pure alcohol (7.5 units of alcohol) during

Background:The objective of this study was to examine the knowledge and practices regarding expired medications and to identify their potential predictors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, between August and November of 2014 in Regional Community Primary Health Care centre in Serbia on 609 patients. The research instrument was the questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied. Results: The lack of knowledge about the treatment of expired medications had 67.5% respondents, while 87.3% of the respondents had inappropriate practice. In the model of multivariate logistic regression with lack of knowledge as dependent variable, statistically significant predictors were: unemployment (OR=2.21; 95%CI: 1.35-3.59), lower economic status (OR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.01-2.58), unread instructions for use (OR=3.26; 95% CI: 1.51-7.02), unchecked medications' expiration date (OR=3.30; 95% CI: 1.22-8.92). In the second model of multivariate logistic regression with inappropriate practice as dependant variable, statistically significant predictors were: the lower education level (OR=1.75; 95% CI: 1.09-2.80), unemployment (OR=2.66; 95% CI: 1.17-6.05), families with members incapable of taking care of their medicines independently (OR=0.27; 95% CI: 0.12-0.61) and lack of knowledge (OR=4.09; 95% CI: 2.31-7.23). Conclusion: Our study shows that there is a need for stronger control of the implementation of legally defined procedures for disposal of medications, as well as a proactive education of population about proper disposal of medications.

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ObjectivesTo determine rate of blood pressure (BP) control and to analyse patient-related, medication-related and healthcare system-related factors associated with poor BP control in outpatients with hypertension (HT).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingTwo study sites with different levels of healthcare (primary healthcare (PHC) and secondary level of healthcare (SHC)) in Vojvodina, Northern Serbia.ParticipantsA total of 581 patients (response rate 96.8%) visiting their primary care physician between July 2019 and June 2020 filled out a pretested semistructured questionnaire and had a BP reading during their regular appointments.Primary and secondary outcome measuresData on demographics, medication, BP control (target systolic BP≤140 mm Hg and∕ or diastolic BP≤90 mm Hg) and knowledge on HT was collected. Based on the median of knowledge score, patients were classified as having poor, average and adequate knowledge.ResultsMajority of the respondents (74.9%) had poorly controlled BP and had HT longer than 10 years. Larger number of patients at PHC site was managed with monotherapy while at the SHC majority received three or more antihypertensive drugs. Respondents from SHC showed a significantly lower knowledge score (9, 2–15) compared with the respondents from PHC (11, 4–15, p=0.001). The share of respondents with adequate knowledge on HT was significantly higher in the group with good BP control (26% and 9.2%, respectively). In a multivariate regression analysis, factors associated with poor BP control were knowledge (B=−1.091; p<0001), number of drugs (B=0536; p<0001) and complications (B=0898; p=0004).ConclusionsPoor BP control is common in outpatients in Serbia, irrespective of the availability of different levels of healthcare. Patients with poor knowledge on HT, with complications of HT and those with multiple antihypertensive drugs, were at particular risk of poor BP control. Our study could serve as a basis for targeted interventions to improve HT management.