Assessing the Side Effects of Antibiotic Use: A Field Study at Tarhuna Teaching Hospital and Selected Inpatient Clinics in the City, and Their Role in Promoting Rational Therapeutic Practices

Abstract

This research investigates the side effects associated with antibiotic use, based on a field study conducted at Tarhuna Teaching Hospital and residential healthcare centers in Tarhuna city. The study begins by highlighting the significance of antibiotics since the discovery of penicillin, and the health challenges caused by their overuse and misuse, such as gastrointestinal disturbances, liver or kidney damage, allergic reactions, and microbiome imbalance.

The research focuses on the relationship between the type of antibiotic used, dosage, and duration of treatment, and how these variables affect the occurrence of side effects. The study sample consisted of 48 participants, 54.2% of whom were male, with the age group 10–20 years representing the majority (37.5%). Tarhuna Teaching Hospital accounted for the highest participation rate (47.9%).

Findings showed that penicillin was the antibiotic most frequently linked to adverse effects (29.2%), with difficulty in breathing being the most common symptom (18.8%), followed by gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, 72.9% of participants discontinued antibiotic use due to side effects.

The study concludes that rational antibiotic use and increased awareness of their risks are essential. It recommends improving medical education, adopting personalized therapeutic strategies, and developing effective policies for drug monitoring and patient safety.