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Prior Knowledge, Older Age, and Higher Allowance Are Risk Factors for Self-Medication with Antibiotics among University Students in Southern China

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  • Hui Pan
  • Binglin Cui
  • Dangui Zhang
  • Jeremy Farrar
  • Frieda Law
  • William Ba-Thein

Abstract

Background: Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) has been reported among university students in many countries, but little research has been done on this issue in China. The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and behaviors of university students and risk factors concerning SMA. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using a novel questionnaire-based data collection instrument, an anonymous online survey was conducted with the students of Shantou University (STU), a university comprising 8 schools/colleges in eastern Guangdong, China. Of 1,300 respondents (13.8% of total eligible participants), 47.8% had self-treated with antibiotics. Logistic regression analysis identified prior knowledge of antibiotics (PKA), older age, and higher monthly allowance as independent risk factors for SMA. PKA significantly influenced students' knowledge about antibiotics, their uses, and common adverse reactions (all p

Suggested Citation

  • Hui Pan & Binglin Cui & Dangui Zhang & Jeremy Farrar & Frieda Law & William Ba-Thein, 2012. "Prior Knowledge, Older Age, and Higher Allowance Are Risk Factors for Self-Medication with Antibiotics among University Students in Southern China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(7), pages 1-8, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0041314
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041314
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    1. Bi, Peng & Tong, Shilu & Parton, Kevin A., 2000. "Family self-medication and antibiotics abuse for children and juveniles in a Chinese city," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(10), pages 1445-1450, May.
    2. Schorling, J.B. & De Souza, M.A. & Guerrant, R.L., 1991. "Antibiotic use among children in an urban Brazilian slum: A risk factor for diarrhea?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 81(1), pages 99-100.
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    1. Olga Horvat & Ana Tomas & Milica Paut Kusturica & Dragica Bukumiric & Bojan Blagojevic & Zorana Kovacevic, 2020. "Serbian students’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards antibiotic use: is there room for improvement?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(8), pages 1257-1267, November.
    2. Roland Cheo & Ge Ge & Geir Godager & Rugang Liu & Jian Wang & Qiqi Wang, 2020. "The effect of a mystery shopper scheme on prescribing behavior in primary care: Results from a field experiment," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Francesco Napolitano & Maria Teresa Izzo & Gabriella Di Giuseppe & Italo F Angelillo, 2013. "Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experience Regarding the Use of Antibiotics in Italy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(12), pages 1-6, December.
    4. Alistair Anderson, 2018. "Online health information and public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding antibiotics in the UK: Multiple regression analysis of Wellcome Monitor and Eurobarometer Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, October.
    5. Narmeen Mallah & Nicola Orsini & Adolfo Figueiras & Bahi Takkouche, 2022. "Income level and antibiotic misuse: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 23(6), pages 1015-1035, August.
    6. Ali Hassan Gillani & Wenjing Ji & Waqar Hussain & Ali Imran & Jie Chang & Caijun Yang & Yu Fang, 2017. "Antibiotic Self-Medication among Non-Medical University Students in Punjab, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-9, September.
    7. Cheo, Roland & Ge, Ge & Godager, Geir & Liu, Rugang & Wang, Qiqi & Wang, Jian, 2018. "The effect of a mystery shopper scheme on prescriptions in primary care," HERO Online Working Paper Series 2018:1, University of Oslo, Health Economics Research Programme.
    8. Zana Shabani & Kerry J. Redican*, 2018. "Antibiotic Self-Medication Among Young Adults in Kosovo," International Journal of Healthcare and Medical Sciences, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 4(7), pages 134-140, 07-2018.

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