Background:Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is considered as natural phenomenon that occurs over the time due to genetic changes. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is significantly increasing in the UAE. Self-medication with antibiotics has been identified as a major factor for the development of antibiotic resistance, which is significantly increasing in the UAE.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to the use of antibiotics without prescriptions among first year healthcare university students in UAE.Methods:Based on the findings of an earlier survey study, a qualitative interview study was designed to explore common themes related to student’s knowledge, awareness, attitude, views, and perceptions. Data were analyzed thematically for the identification of themes and subthemes within the data through the use of coding.Results:The interview study identified four main themes with multiple subthemes related to the use of antibiotics without a physician’s prescription by first-year healthcare students. The thematic analysis of the interviews revealed four main themes; medication habits and practices; reasons for self-medication; access to antibiotics without a prescription and gaps in students’ knowledge regarding antibiotic resistanceConclusions:Healthcare students in UAE are influenced by several factors including parents and friends influence, successful previous experience and investment of time and money to visit a physician. Our sample of healthcare students has a misconception about the use of antibiotics. The current interview study identified six new reasons for using antibiotics without prescriptions as compared to our earlier survey study. There is a need of multifaceted strategies to decrease unnecessary antibiotic use in our population sample.

The usage pattern of patients' drug information leaflet for oral non-prescription drugs among university students in the United Arab Emirates: cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this research is to identify risk factors for incautious use of oral non-prescription drugs (ONPD) and inform recommendations that promote cautious ONPD use among HEI students in the UAE. Methods:A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted with 2875 students in three randomly selected UAE universities between January and April 2014. Results:More than half (1348; 57%) of participants reported using of ONPD in the past 90 days before study commencement. Of 1348 participants reported using ONPD, one-quarter (1348; 22.2%) of ONPD was classified as incautious ONPD usage. Analgesic/antipyretic (84.9%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (1028; 76.3%), and cough and cold drugs (562; 41.7%) were reported by the majority of participants as the most commonly used ONPD. 10 risk factors were identified for incautious ONPD use. Participants with age group of 21 years and older (OR=0.554, 95%; CI=0.373-0.823; p<0.001), female (OR=0.339, 95%; CI=0.236-0.486; p<0.001), and students from medical schools (OR=0.619, 95%; CI=0.435-0.882; p=0.008) had lower odds of being incautious users compared to lower age group, males, and students from non-medical schools. Furthermore, participants with a polypharmacy behavior had higher odds of being irresponsible ONPD user than monopharmacy users (OR=1.400, 95%; CI=1.030-1.02; p<0.001). Conclusion:One of five students is an incautious ONPD user. There is a need for an educational and behavioral intervention to motivate students to be cautious users.

Objective: This study is designed to measure the prevalence of polypharmacy and identify factors associated with this behavior among university students in UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional study. Participants were asked whether they used Oral Non-Prescription Drugs (ONPD) in the last 90 days before conducting the study and then to provide details regarding how many ONPD they you usually take for self-treating a single illness a day.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of antibiotic use without prescriptions and to identify factors associated with this behavior among university students using oral non-prescription drugs (ONPD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the students of major universities in UAE. A multistage sampling technique was used in the present study. Results: Out of 2875 students, only 2355 (81.9 %) questionnaire were fully answered and included. Of 2355, more than half (1348; 57.2 %) of the participants reported using ONPD. More than one-third (484, 35.9 %) of 1348 participants used antibiotics without a prescription during the 90 days prior to the present study. Binary logistic regression identified nine statistically significant variables: nationality (OR = 0.471, 95 % CI: 0.326 - 0.681, p < 0.001); cost-influence behavior (OR = 1.716, 95 % CI: 1.175 - 2.508, p < 0.005); belief in ONPD effectiveness (OR = 0.332, 95 % CI: 0 .135 - 0.815, p < 0.05); year of study (OR = 0.310, 95 %, CI: 0.141 - 0.681, p < 0.004); medication knowledge (OR = 0.619, 95 % CI: 0.443 - 0.866, p < 0.005); self-care orientation (OR=1.878, 95 % CI: 1.304 - 2.706, p < 0.001); using ONPD helps to save money (OR=1.665, 95 % CI: 1.047-2.649, p<0.04); and urgency of use (OR = 1.644, 95 %, CI: 1.144 - 2.363, p < 0.007); as well as being healthcare students (OR = 1.465, 95 %, CI: 1.012 - 2.120, p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a need for educational intervention to improve students’ knowledge, attitude, and awareness regarding the risk of using antibiotics without prescriptions.