Self-medication with antibiotics and its associated factors among university students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Self-medication is the use of medications to address self-perceived disorders or symptoms, typically without a prescription or medical oversight. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a notable increase in self-medication practices, particularly with antibiotics. This study is incited by the rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the increased antibiotic consumption observed during the COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan. Methods This study was conducted at the University of Balochistan from April to November 2022, to find out the prevalence of self-medication among students through a comprehensive questionnaire covering frequency, reasons, types of medications used, sources of information, and demographic characteristics. SPSS version 21 was used to analyze the data. Results In this study, a total of 730 participants took part, resulting in a response rate of (708) 97%. The average age of the study participants was 22.78 ± 2.758 years. The study found that most participants were male (69.5%), with the highest representation from third-year students in the biological sciences field (30.5%), primarily residing in hostels (59.3%) and receiving monthly allowances between 10000-15000 (54.2%). Factors such as gender, marital status, field of study in biological and natural sciences, residing in a hostel, absence of family members in the health profession, and specific monthly allowance ranges. Conclusion The study concluded high rates of self-administration of antibiotics among University of Balochistan students, with factors such as gender, marital status, field of study, hostel residency, family healthcare background, and financial constraints playing significant roles. Urgent interventions are necessary to educate students on the dangers of self-medication.