Comparison of knowledge, attitude, practice and predictors of self-medication with antibiotics among medical and non-medical students in Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is a widespread problem in developing nations, including Tanzania.Methods: This study compared knowledge, attitudes, practices, and factors influencing antibiotic SMA among medical and non-medical students.Results: The prevalence of SMA among medical students was 49.1% and 59.2% among non-medical students, respectively. The mean knowledge score of medical students (6.4) was significantly higher (p-value <0.001) than that of non-medical students (5.6). The main factors influencing SMA practices were the availability of antibiotics without a prescription, easy access to pharmacies, and a lack of knowledge about the risks of SMA. This experience was pivotal in influencing medical students to take antibiotics, with a substantial proportion of 67.5% as opposed to 59.4% of non-medical students. Medical students were 1.6 times more likely to self-medicate with antibiotics than non-medical students (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 1.6; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.2–2.3, p-value = 0.004). Age was also associated with self-medication, with an AOR of 1.1 (95% CI: 1.04–1.2, p-value = 0.006) per year increase in age. Additionally, attitude was associated with self-medication, with an AOR of 1.05 (95% CI: 1.04–1.1, p-value = 0.001) per unit increase in attitude score.Discussion: No significant associations were found between sex, marital status, having children, year of study, knowledge score, and self-medication with antibiotics. This study emphasizes the importance of educational interventions and public awareness campaigns to promote antimicrobial stewardship, appropriate antibiotic use, and preventing pharmacies from dispensing antibiotics without a prescription.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Self-Medication Practices, Perception, and Attitudes of Undergraduate Medical Students at a Government Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Eastern India

“…SM with AMAs was found to be 28.7% in our study which is much lower than Nabi et al (68%) [16], and Nakato et al [17], (80-93%) and Wahab et al (61%) [18], and Shitindi et al [19].…”

Knowledge attitude and convenience on self-medication practices among university students in Bangladesh exploration using structural equation modeling approach

“…Studies such as those by Alves et al 41 underscore the role of knowledge in promoting safe self-medication practices, preventing indiscriminate use . Shitindi et al 42 contend that a lack of proper knowledge about medicines is a strong predictor of self-medication practices. Conversely, research by Abebe et al 2 suggests that while university students may possess good knowledge about self-medication, negative attitudes towards it are associated with reduced practice.…”

“…A critical aspect identified in various studies is the knowledge about adverse drug reactions (ADR) and the attitudes towards them, which significantly influence self-medication 42 , 44 . Studies by Gedam and Kuchya 45 and Sivadasan et al 46 emphasize the importance of knowledge about ADR in shaping proper attitudes and responsible self-medication practices.…”

Public Awareness and Practice Regarding Over-the-Counter Medications: A Cross-Sectional Study in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

“…Some studies showed that people rarely or never check the expiry date of the OTC medications they took. This is concerning since failing to verify a medication's expiration date might result in an accumulation of expired pharmaceuticals in the home and numerous negative side effects [11].…”