Clinical history, knowledge, and antibiotic use practices among adult patients with cellulitis attending clinical services at Kiruddu Referral Hospital in Kampala. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2148Keywords:
Cellulitis, Antimicrobial Resistance, Self-Medication, Patient Knowledge, Clinical HistoryAbstract
Background:
Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection with a high recurrence rate. Patient knowledge, clinical history, and antibiotic use practices are critical factors influencing treatment outcomes and the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, history, and knowledge of AMR among adult patients with cellulitis at Kiruddu Referral Hospital, Kampala.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2025. A structured questionnaire was administered to 279 consecutively enrolled adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of cellulitis. Data on socio-demographics, clinical history of cellulitis, self-medication practices, and knowledge of AMR were collected. Descriptive statistics were computed using Microsoft Excel and presented in frequencies, percentages, and figures.
Results:
The majority of participants were female (56.3%) and aged 36-45 years (31.5%). A significant proportion (57.7%) had a history of cellulitis, with nearly half (48.4%) experiencing a recurrence within the past year. The lower limbs were the most affected site (62.0%). While 36.9% reported self-medication with antibiotics before hospitalization, 63.1% had not. Although 55.2% had heard of AMR and 69.2% understood that incomplete treatment causes resistance, a concerning 51.3% admitted to not always completing their antibiotic courses. Pharmacies and drug shops were a common source of antibiotics outside formal healthcare settings.
Conclusion:
There is a high recurrence of cellulitis and a significant gap between knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use and actual practices, including self-medication and non-adherence.
Recommendation:
The urgent need for targeted patient education and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship programs to bridge this knowledge-practice gap and combat AMR.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jorome Nteziyaremye, Benjamin W Oromcan , Mr. James Kasozi, Seldon Duluga, Mr. Habert Mabonga
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