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Background <p>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant public health threat, exacerbated by the misuse of antibiotics. This study aimed to identify the key determinants influencing self-medication with antibiotics among undergraduate students.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2025, involving 394 undergraduate students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), in the west of Iran. A stratified sampling approach was employed to ensure equitable representation across faculties, with participants selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a validated written self-report questionnaire, focusing on demographic information, antibiotic consumption behaviors, and components of the information–motivation–behavioral skills (IMB) model. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression.</p> Results <p>A substantial 69.5% of participants reported using antibiotics without a prescription. Key determinants influencing this self-medication included economic status (odds ratio [OR]: 1.188, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.035 to 1.364, <i>p</i> = 0.014), the availability of antibiotics at home or in dormitories (OR: 3.050, 95% CI: 1.843 to 5.048, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), requests for antibiotic prescriptions during doctor visits (OR: 2.288, 95% CI: 1.340 to 3.908, <i>p</i> = 0.002), personal motivation (OR: 0.913, 95% CI: 0.850 to 0.980, <i>p</i> = 0.012), self-efficacy (OR: 0.848, 95% CI: 0.725 to 0.991, <i>p</i> = 0.039), and objective skills (OR: 0.799, 95% CI: 0.713 to 0.897, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001).</p> Conclusion <p>The findings highlight a concerning prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among students, driven by accessibility, knowledge, and practice gaps. Enhancing education on antibiotic use and AMR, alongside fostering behavioral skills and motivation, is crucial for mitigating inappropriate antibiotic consumption and addressing the AMR crisis effectively.</p>

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The silent epidemic: addressing the determinants of antibiotics self-medication in university students

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月24日

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  • Mehdi Moradinazar,
  • Khalat Hama Gharib,
  • Mahshad Taherpour,
  • Farzad Jalilian

摘要

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant public health threat, exacerbated by the misuse of antibiotics. This study aimed to identify the key determinants influencing self-medication with antibiotics among undergraduate students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2025, involving 394 undergraduate students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), in the west of Iran. A stratified sampling approach was employed to ensure equitable representation across faculties, with participants selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a validated written self-report questionnaire, focusing on demographic information, antibiotic consumption behaviors, and components of the information–motivation–behavioral skills (IMB) model. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression.

Results

A substantial 69.5% of participants reported using antibiotics without a prescription. Key determinants influencing this self-medication included economic status (odds ratio [OR]: 1.188, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.035 to 1.364, p = 0.014), the availability of antibiotics at home or in dormitories (OR: 3.050, 95% CI: 1.843 to 5.048, p < 0.001), requests for antibiotic prescriptions during doctor visits (OR: 2.288, 95% CI: 1.340 to 3.908, p = 0.002), personal motivation (OR: 0.913, 95% CI: 0.850 to 0.980, p = 0.012), self-efficacy (OR: 0.848, 95% CI: 0.725 to 0.991, p = 0.039), and objective skills (OR: 0.799, 95% CI: 0.713 to 0.897, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings highlight a concerning prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among students, driven by accessibility, knowledge, and practice gaps. Enhancing education on antibiotic use and AMR, alongside fostering behavioral skills and motivation, is crucial for mitigating inappropriate antibiotic consumption and addressing the AMR crisis effectively.