Self-medication of Antibiotics among the Students of Hamdard University, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is a major public health problem globally. Self-medication practices among the population in the form of use of over-the counter-drugs including antibiotics is on the increase. We aimed to assess the self-medication practices among the pharmacy students of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Hamdard University in Islamabad, Pakistan. 

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study by randomly selecting 200 participants whose views and practices were gathered using semi-structured questionnaires. 

Results: A total of 152 (76%) students admitted to the practice of self-medication in the preceding 12 months. The commonest condition for antibiotics use was sore throat where 64 (32%) students had used at least one antibiotic. Antibiotics from the penicillin group were most frequently used for self-medication among the respondents. More than two-third of the respondents (71%) self-medicated themselves because they considered their ailment as being mild and not warranting a visit to a physician. A large majority of the respondents (83%) obtained the medicines from various community pharmacies and the choice of the antibiotic was based on their previous experience (31%) or recommendations by their friends (29%). 

Conclusions: There is an urgent need for robust public education campaigns to raise awareness of the disadvantages and possible complications of antibiotic self-medication. Public education would also help in tackling growing antibiotic resistance in the society.