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Keeping Antibiotics at Home Promotes Self-Medication with Antibiotics among Chinese University Students

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaomin Wang

    (Zhejiang University Institute of Social Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China)

  • Leesa Lin

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
    Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Ziming Xuan

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Lu Li

    (Zhejiang University Institute of Social Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China)

  • Xudong Zhou

    (Zhejiang University Institute of Social Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China)

Abstract

Background: Inappropriate use of antibiotics has caused antimicrobial resistance, presenting a major health challenge to the world population. Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is currently at an alarming level in China. Objectives: To determine the sources of antibiotics leftover at home, the risk factors of keeping antibiotics at home, and the associations between keeping antibiotics at home and SMA among Chinese university students. Methods: Six provinces were purposely selected from six regions of China, and one multi-disciplinary university was selected from each chosen province. A total of 11,192 university students were selected using cluster random sampling from the selected universities. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between keeping antibiotics at home and SMA. Results: Out of the 11,192 students surveyed, 7057 (63.1%) reported keeping antibiotics at home at the time they were surveyed. Of those who kept antibiotics in their home, 1965 (27.8%) reported that these antibiotics were left over from a previous prescription by a doctor and 4893 (69.3%), purchased antibiotics over the counter. Additionally, 29.6% (507/1711) of students self-medicated with antibiotics when ill during the month before the survey. Students keeping antibiotics at home were five times (95% CI 3.53, 7.05) more likely to engage in SMA when ill and 2.6 times (95% CI 2.34, 2.89) more likely to self-medicating with antibiotics for prophylaxis than the other students. Female students, those with a family background of higher education, and those who had a parent working in the medical field had a significantly higher chance of keeping antibiotics at home. Conclusions: The high prevalence of keeping antibiotics at home and SMA among young adults is a serious concern. Professional regulations and population-tailored health education are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:687-:d:139722
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    References listed on IDEAS

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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.
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    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. He, Daixin & Lu, Fangwen & Yang, Jianan, 2023. "Impact of self- or social-regarding health messages: Experimental evidence based on antibiotics purchases," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    5. 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.

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