Self-medication with antibiotics among non-medical university students of Karachi: a cross-sectional study

Shah, Syed Manzoor Hussain; Ahmad, Hamna; Rehan, Rija Binte; Najeeb, Sidra; Mumtaz, Mirrah; Jilani, Muhammad Hashim; Rabbani, Muhammad Sharoz; Alam, Muhammad Zakariya; Farooq, Saba; Kadir, Masood

doi:10.1186/2050-6511-15-74

Cited by 99 publications

(145 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Moreover, almost half of the study population were reported to be not aware of antibacterial resistance. Such results were similar to another study were 63.1 % of population were found to be not aware of antibiotic resistance [5]. This may suggest that poor medication knowledge and the lack of awareness among consumers may lead to the irresponsible use of antibiotics.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…This has also been found to be the main reason for such practice in other studies [4,5]. Other reasons like the lack of access to health care, time and lack of insurance were found to be reported by other studies as well [5]. The most common source of information during self-medication was the community drug dispensers which is similar to other studies [4,7,16].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Several studies in developed [3] and developing [4,5] countries indicate that the use of antibiotics during self-medication is a common practice worldwide. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics has been found to be more in low income countries and it has been shown to be significantly related to many factors like availability and easy access to antibiotics, lack of access to health care [6], inappropriate use [7], poor awareness [8], poor regulation [9], lack of supervision by health professionals [7], high occurrence of infectious diseases and increased antibiotic prescription [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self-medication with antibiotics in Sana’a City, Yemen

Albawani¹,

Abd-Aziz²,

Gnanasan³

2017

Trop. J. Pharm Res

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Self-medication with antibiotics in Sana’a City, Yemen

Albawani¹,

Abd-Aziz²,

Gnanasan³

2017

Trop. J. Pharm Res

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“…Medications administered inappropriately not only lead to wastage of resources, but also carry potentially serious and life-threatening adverse effects for the users (11).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploration in Women’s Perception of the Use of Over-the-Counter Drugs: A Content Analysis

Pourghane

Ahmadi

Salimi

2017

Iran Red Crescent Med J

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Background: Arbitrary drug use is considered as one of the major problems in all countries. Several studies indicate that selfmedication is more prevalent in women. In addition to the side-effects of drugs on women's health, their health behavior can affect their families, as well. Qualitative research provides insight into participants' internal world as well as the chance to specify and interpret the data and their experience at a deeper level. Objectives: The present qualitative study aimed to explore women's perception of OTC drugs. Methods:The present study is a conventional qualitative content analysis conducted on women's community in the Guilan province, the North of Iran. The study population was selected through purposive sampling, and the data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, which continued up to data saturation point. Data analysis was performed as per the stages recommended by Graneheim and Lundman. Research strength and its scientific accuracy were evaluated as per the criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln. Results: Data analysis identified three main themes and 9 subthemes as follows: "fragmented interaction in health system (poor relationship between patients and therapists, government's poor economic support, inadequate supervision); "false self-confidence" (belief in the non-riskiness/efficiency of self-medication, self-esteem in understanding one's health status, good memories of healing); "perceived personal stonewalling" (limitations in time, huge costs of treatment, and poor understanding of nuisances). Conclusions: Participants' experience highlighted the necessity of awareness about adverse side effects of OTC drug use; such awareness can be achieved through various methods such as information dissemination and proper culture of drug use promoted by healthcare professionals to resolve the mentioned issues and improve, consolidate, and promote society's level of knowledge and health.

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The prevalence and causes of self‐medication among medical university students in Iran during COVID‐19 outbreak and its implications for public health and health systems: A cross‐sectional study

Kokabisaghi,

Emadi,

Tajik

et al. 2024

Health Science Reports

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Background and AimsSelf‐medication is a worldwide phenomenon that brings advantages and disadvantages to public health and health systems. This study investigated the extent and causes of self‐medication among medical university students and its implications for public health in Iran in 2020.MethodsThe present study was designed as a descriptive‐analytical cross‐sectional study that examined the knowledge, attitude, and practice of self‐medication. The population of the study was the students of health sciences programs who all entered the study. The data collection tool included a questionnaire designed online and available to students. The content validity ratio of the questionnaire was 0.84, and the alpha Cronbach coefficient was calculated at 0.8936.ResultsThe prevalence of self‐medication among medical university students was 19%. The most common reason for self‐medication was the safety of medicines (66.67%). The most usual form of medication used was the tablet (35.67%), the most common drug taken was acetaminophen (69.01%), and the most common disease to self‐medicate for was headache (67.36%). Estimating the odds ratio of self‐medication with demographic variables showed no relationship. However, after adjusting the variables, age and type of degree showed an association with self‐medication, as the older participants and postgraduate students had positive attitudes toward self‐medication.ConclusionSelf‐medication may be helpful, but it often needs proper guidance and logic and can carry various risks. Considering that medical sciences students will be influential in society in the future, it is necessary to pay more attention to correcting their drug use culture and providing access to health services for everyone. Appropriate prescription of medicines, controlling drug sales in pharmacies, highlighting the role of pharmacists in safe self‐medication, and controlling the prevalence of self‐medication is necessary.

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Self-medication with antibiotics among non-medical university students of Karachi: a cross-sectional study

Cited by 99 publications

References 13 publications

Self-medication with antibiotics in Sana’a City, Yemen

Self-medication with antibiotics in Sana’a City, Yemen

An Exploration in Women’s Perception of the Use of Over-the-Counter Drugs: A Content Analysis

The prevalence and causes of self‐medication among medical university students in Iran during COVID‐19 outbreak and its implications for public health and health systems: A cross‐sectional study

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