Determinants of antimicrobial use towards management and control

Diarrhoea is one of the most common infections that under-five children suffer from across the world. Antibiotics remains one of the common measures used to treat the infection, which has led to increased usage. The rationale behind using antibiotics is not well stipulated in the published literature. This book outlines the factors that prompt caregivers to use antibiotics in treating childhood diarrhoea. The book covers major factors that influence mothers/caregivers to use antibiotics in managing diarrhoea and these are: long distances to the nearest health facility, inadequate stock of drugs at the facility, poor quality of medical care at the health facility. The book provides for recommendations to governments to consider constructing more health posts to reduce the distance covered such that mothers/caregivers are encouraged to always visit the health facilities and should ensure enough stock of drugs is available in clinics. Health professionals should encourage mothers/caregivers to refrain from engaging in self-medication behavior as it has devastating effects on increased drug usage thereby contributing to drug resistance, which is a threat to anti-microbial resistance.