Abstract

In Mali, antibiotics are used excessively and inappropriately, particularly when self-medicated in children. The aim of this study was to identify the causes likely to increase the request for antibiotics for self-medication. This was a descriptive, observational study conducted over a period of 3 months in 10 private pharmacies. Among 301 guardians who took part in our study, the majority of guardians (35.55%) had a superior level of instruction. Over 47% of the children were between 25 and 60 months old. Sellers dispensed 45.18% of antibiotics and 38.21% of antibiotics were dispensed following a request for self-medication. Fixed combination Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, Amoxicillin and Flucloxacillin were dispensed with 21.05%, 12.28% and 10.82% respectively. Fathers requested more antibiotics without a prescription than mothers and difference was statistically significant (p