Background and Objective:
Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) are seen as the most reliable sources of healthcare in most rural and hard-to-reach areas even with their low educational qualification. They can sell a limited number of pre-packaged, over-the-counter medicines and medical products, but are prohibited from selling prescription medications including antibiotics. However, studies have shown that people get antibiotics without prescription from patent medicine vendors resulting in irrational antibiotic use in some cases. This study, therefore, assessed the predictors of knowledge, attitude, and dispensing practices of antibiotics among patent and proprietary medicine vendors in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.

Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, and 374 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A standardized, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used among PPMVs. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used for data analysis. Chi-square was used for test of association at p0.05.

Results:
The majority (53.4%) of PPMVs were females; about four-fifth belonged to the age group 29 years, and a majority had about 5 years of practice experience. The majority (66.0%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of antibiotics, and almost half (59.2%) of the PPMVs had poor dispensing practices of antibiotics. Sex, educational level, and membership of PPM were found to be predictors of knowledge, while sex and educational level were predictors of dispensing practices of antibiotics among PPMVs. Also, it was found that the majority of the PPMVs had good attitude toward antibiotics prescription

Conclusion:
This study reported a poor overall knowledge and dispensing practice of antibiotics among PPMVs and good attitude towards antibiotics prescription. In other to curb the menace of irrational antibiotic use, strict enforcement of regulations that will limit access to antibiotics by PPMVs and continuous training of the PPMVs on antibiotic use is required.