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The Misconception of Antibiotic Equal to an Anti-Inflammatory Drug Promoting Antibiotic Misuse among Chinese University Students

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Listed:
  • Weiyi Wang

    (Institute for Social Medicine and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xiaomin Wang

    (Institute for Social Medicine and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yanhong Jessika Hu

    (School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 7 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam 10000, Hong Kong)

  • Dan Wu

    (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou 510095, China)

  • Jingjing Lu

    (Institute for Social Medicine and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Yannan Xu

    (Institute for Social Medicine and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Chenhui Sun

    (Institute for Social Medicine and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Xudong Zhou

    (Institute for Social Medicine and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China)

Abstract

Massive misuse of antibiotics is one of the most important reasons for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Misconceptions of antibiotics contribute to antibiotic misuse behaviors. This study aims to examine whether university students hold the misconception that Antibiotic is a Xiaoyanyao (literally means anti-inflammatory drug in Chinese), and association between this misconception and antibiotic misuse behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students using the cluster random sampling method in six universities of six regions in China (one university per region). The Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between the misconception and antibiotic misuse behaviors. Logistic regression was conducted to identify the risk factors for antibiotic misuse behaviors. 11,192 of university students completed the entire questionnaire. There were 3882 (34.7%) students who were considered to have the misconception. Female students were more likely to have the misconception compared with males (36.7% vs. 32.6%, P < 0.001). Those students with a background of social science/humanities were more likely to have the misconception compared with those from science and medicine (44.1% vs. 30.3% vs. 20.1%, P < 0.001). Students came from rural areas compared with those from urban areas (37.5% vs. 32.5%, P < 0.001) were more likely to have the misconception. Students who had the misconception were 1.51 (95% CI 1.21–1.89, P < 0.001) times, 1.34 (95% CI 1.21–1.48, P < 0.001) times, and 1.36 (95% CI 1.24–1.50, P < 0.001) times more likely to report self-medication, request to obtain antibiotics, and take antibiotics prophylactically than those who did not have this misconception, respectively. The high proportion of university students’ misconception on Antibiotic is a Xiaoyanyao is worth more attention. Effective health education and interventions need to be promoted among university students and the whole population.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiyi Wang & Xiaomin Wang & Yanhong Jessika Hu & Dan Wu & Jingjing Lu & Yannan Xu & Chenhui Sun & Xudong Zhou, 2019. "The Misconception of Antibiotic Equal to an Anti-Inflammatory Drug Promoting Antibiotic Misuse among Chinese University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:3:p:335-:d:200814
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cho, Hong-Jun & Hong, Soo-Jong & Park, Sylvia, 2004. "Knowledge and beliefs of primary care physicians, pharmacists, and parents on antibiotic use for the pediatric common cold," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(3), pages 623-629, February.
    2. Xiaomin Wang & Leesa Lin & Ziming Xuan & Lu Li & Xudong Zhou, 2018. "Keeping Antibiotics at Home Promotes Self-Medication with Antibiotics among Chinese University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. T. Wing Lo & Jerf W. K. Yeung & Cherry H. L. Tam, 2020. "Substance Abuse and Public Health: A Multilevel Perspective and Multiple Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-7, April.

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