Abstract
Background and objectives The rise of antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis, and the irrational use of antibiotics is the major contributing factor. Therefore, it is essential to understand the antibiotic usage in the community to estimate the prevalence of antibiotic usage and its association with various co-variates and to evaluate the consumption pattern of antibiotic usage in the catchment areas of the Urban Health Training Centre of a medical college in Ahmedabad City. Methods An observational, community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 phases during May-Aug 2024. Estimated sample size was 315 individuals who were ill anytime in last three months or consumed drugs and were selected from 15 clusters identified by cluster sampling method. Information was gathered on a structured questionnaire, and statistical parameters such as prevalence, prevalence ratios, confidence interval, and chi-square test were calculated in MS Excel. Results The screening of 2278 participants yielded 349 eligible participants as per inclusion criteria and 117 (33.5%) of them consumed 152 antibiotics during the previous three months. Sociodemographic determinates like age, sex and qualification of treatment provider showed significant association with antibiotic usage. Use of antibiotics was higher 55 (42.6%) in children than in adults 62 (28.1%). As per AWaRe classification (WHO), 3/4th of the participants (59.9%) consumed the watch group, more than half (50.4%) consumed the Access group and 2 (1.7%) consumed the Reserve group of antibiotics. Antibiotics are prescription only drugs, still in 37.5% of cases, antibiotics, even those from the Watch group, were obtained without a prescription. Interpretation and Conclusions Overall, a concerning trend of antibiotic use without prescriptions was witnessed, specifically in the 'Watch' category of antibiotics. It highlights the need for improved prescribing practices and public education to prevent misuse of antibiotics.