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Black/African American (AA) individuals are a group at risk for co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol use due to unique cultural and system-level barriers. Although associations between trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and alcohol use are well established across various populations, Black/AA individuals are underrepresented in this literature, and related findings in this population are inconclusive. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine the associations among trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and alcohol use in a sample of treatment-seeking, Black/AA adults. We hypothesized that trauma exposure and alcohol use would be positively associated and that this relationship would be mediated by PTSD symptoms. This study conducted secondary analysis of screening data from a PTSD and alcohol use disorder clinical trial. Participants were 96 Black/AA adults (57.3% male; 2.0% Hispanic; M age = 44.73, SD = 11.83) who were seeking treatment for alcohol use and endorsed trauma exposure. Associations between trauma exposure, PTSD symptom severity, and quantity and frequency of alcohol use were tested using bivariate correlations and linear regressions. Hypothesized indirect effects were tested using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27 PROCESS model 4 with bootstrapping. Findings illustrated a significant positive association between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms and between PTSD symptoms and drinks per typical drinking day. PTSD symptoms were not significantly associated with number of drinking days. Tests of indirect effects were significant for trauma exposure on drinks per typical drinking day through PTSD symptoms. Results from the test of indirect effects suggest that among Black/AA adults with heavy alcohol use and trauma exposure, trauma exposure is associated with PTSD symptoms, which in turn is associated with quantity of alcohol use. These findings are consistent with research conducted with White/mixed groups and align with tenets of the self-medication model of PTSD-AUD comorbidity. These findings support current practices that highlight the importance of screening for and addressing PTSD and alcohol use in individuals exposed to trauma. Findings from this paper provide initial data on understudied relationships in an underserved sample and several suggestions are made to generate future research and improve clinical care for Black/AA adults. Pharmacogenetic Treatment With Anti-Glutaminergic Agents for Comorbid PTSD & AUD; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02884908. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetive: Studies have shown that the practice of self-medicating children occurs worldwide and is independent of the country’s economic level, medication policies, or access to health services. This study aimed to estimate and characterize the prevalence of self-medication in the Brazilian population of children aged up to 12 years. Methods: We analyzed the data of 7528 children aged up to 12 years whose primary caregivers responded to the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines in Brazil (PNAUM), a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in 245 Brazilian municipalities. The prevalence of selfmedication was defined as the use of at least one medication without a doctor’s or dentist’s indication 15 days before the interview. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was 22.2% and was more frequent in older children belonging to poorer families and without health insurance. The acute conditions for which there was a higher frequency of self-medication were pain, fever, and cold/allergic rhinitis. Analgesics/antipyretics stood out among the most used medications for self-medication. Conclusions: The prevalence of self-medication to treat acute conditions was high in Brazilian children sampled in PNAUM, emphasizing the management of common symptoms such as pain, fever, and cold/allergic rhinitis in this age group. These findings reinforce the need for educational actions aimed at parents and caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of self-medication practices among students by conducting a bibliometric analysis of the available scientific literature. This research highlights the importance of promoting safe and responsible healthcare behaviors among students. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the Scopus database to retrieve all peer-reviewed English articles and reviews published from 1968 onwards. The retrieved documents were analyzed to identify publication trends, citation counts, top journals, geographical distribution, and emerging research themes. Results: The findings indicate a significant increase in published literature about student self-medication over the past fifteen years. However, it was observed that the citation count for these documents was lower than expected, suggesting a need for increased attention toward this critical topic. The analysis also identified several hot topics in student self-medication, including the misuse of over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and psychoactive substances. The inappropriate use of antibiotics and the self-medication of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, were also identified as significant problems. Conclusions and recommendations: Self-medication among students is a complex and critical issue that requires immediate attention. This study highlights the urgent need for greater awareness and education regarding responsible self-medication practices among students. New policies, interventions, and strategies should be developed to address malpractices, misconceptions, and harmful practices related to self-medication. Educational institutions and health authorities should play a crucial role in providing students with mental health resources and support services. Collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, universities, and policymakers are required to consider this issue as public health priority, establish counseling centers, organize stress management and mental health workshops and develop comprehensive programs to control risks associated with student self-medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Investigación en Salud VIVE is the property of Revista de Investigacion en Salud VIVE and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study aimed to evaluate health literacy, knowledge, household disposal, and misuse practices of antibiotics among the United Arab Emirates (UAE) residents. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted between May 1st and August 31st, 2022. The study encompassed a sample of 1074 participants. Participants involved in a medical field (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.45–2.69, p < 0.001) were more likely to have adequate health literacy. Most participants rarely (n = 315; 29.33%) or sometimes (n = 292; 27.19%) sought help from a doctor or pharmacist with reading the instructions and leaflets of antibiotics. A bachelor's degree was associated with a reduced odds ratio of self-medication with antibiotics (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.29–0.75, p = 0.002). Only 10.61% of unneeded antibiotics were returned to the pharmacy, 79.42% were disposed of at home and 10% were disposed of using other disposal practices. Higher levels of adequate health literacy were observed in those involved in the medical field and those with higher educational levels. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among the UAE population was low. These findings highlight the importance of improving health literacy, promoting responsible antibiotic use, and encouraging proper disposal practices among the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The research was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication and the affecting factors among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: A descriptive study. The study was carried out with 560 students who were receiving education in Kirsehir Ahi Evran University Faculty of Health Sciences nursing department during the 2020-2021 academic year and agreeing to participate in the study. The data were collected using the "Data Collection Form" which was prepared by the researchers upon the relevant literature review. Results: It was determined that more than half of the nursing students who participated in the study (63.6%) applied to self-medication, they used medication mostly due to headache, cold/flu and period pain and the most frequently used medication was analgesic (69.8%). The most frequent self-medication reasons of the nursing students were taking the same drug before (56.2%), having medical knowledge about the drug (26.8%), having the drug available at home (26.8%), considering health problem unimportant (16.8%), having an emergency situation (14.6%) and the pandemic (COVID-19) (13.4%). It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the self-medication and sociodemographic characteristics of the students (p>0.05). The students, whose mother's educational background was secondary education and above and those who kept drugs in a medicine chest, fridge or cupboard at home, had a higher rate of self-medication. Conclusions: The nursing students had a very high rate of self-medication. It is recommended that nursing undergraduate curricula include the subject of self-medication. In addition, it is recommended to train students on the outcomes of self-medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic self-medication, which refers to acquisition and using antibiotics to treat infections based on personal experience and/or without a doctor's advice or prescription, is a significant public health issue jeopardizing patient health outcomes. The purpose of the present cross-sectional online survey was to assess the frequency of self-medication among the general public in various geographical locations in southern Jordan, as well as to examine the determinants to self-medication. The survey was distributed through several social media networks over the period November–December 2022, and included demographic information as well as items related to the use and abuse of antibiotics, information sources about antibiotics, the duration of use of antibiotics, and assessment of the public knowledge about appropriate antibiotic use. Inferential analysis, such as the Chi-Square test and logistic regression, were adopted to assess the associations between the different variables with self-medication. A total of 984 respondents were enrolled in the study. Of these, 752 had been using antibiotics during the last year. However, the self-medicating cases were 413 of the 752. The main source of information about the utilization of antibiotics among participants in the survey was pharmacists. The participants commonly (36.0%) tended to use antibiotics until the symptoms disappeared. Nearly half of the respondents reported usually taking antibiotics for treating a runny nose (rhinorrhea). The logistic regression analysis indicated that self-medication with antibiotics was significantly associated with female gender (p-value < 0.001), low educational level (p-value = 0.014), rural living location (p-value 0.003), no health insurance (p-value = 0.001) and occupation (p-value = 0.005). Meanwhile age had no significant relationship to self-medication. Finally, the results revealed poor understanding of key appropriate antibiotic usage, which inevitably influences self-medication practice. It is crucial to come up with several programs and governmental policies to suppress widespread antibiotic self-medication as it will affect the health of future generations of Jordanian citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The use and abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) products have been well-documented in multiple studies across the globe. Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of healthcare students (medical and para-medical students) of a private institution in India on OTC oral healthcare products and dental practices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A validated questionnaire comprising twenty questions in English was drafted. The questionnaire was divided into three sections. First section consisted of demographical data, and second and third sections involved questions regarding knowledge (9 questions) and attitude (11 questions) of participants about OTC oral healthcare products and their ingredients. RESULTS: The current research included 1,024 participants. There were 376 male and 648 female participants. The participants selected their oral care products depending on various factors. A mixed response was found in certain aspects. CONCLUSIONS: Overall knowledge and attitude of the study population regarding OTC healthcare products proved to be satisfactory. Additionally, even though the sample size was significant, it was limited to certain geographic boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of General Medicine & Health Sciences / Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu is the property of Witold Chodzki Institute of Rural Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Self-medication is the practice of treating any ailment or symptom that a person diagnoses for themselves without first visiting a physician. Different communities display different behaviours; hence the purpose of this study is to statistically investigate the patterns and prevalence of self-medication usage. Although health literacy practices have been increasingly recommended in public health literature, there is a lack of studies that examine the relationships between health literacy and self-medication. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based research approach was used in a sample of 316 participants. Health literacy was measured by Single Item Literacy Screener. Data was analysed using SPSS 29.0 version. Results: A total of 316 participants agreed to participate (63.9% were females). The results showed that more than half, 53.4% had adequate health literacy. The prevalence of self-medication was 74%, in these 52% had used medicines by previous prescription and 8% used alternative medicine. There was a significant relationship between the overall health literacy level and practice of self-medication. Conclusion: Improving the health literacy level of the public can reduce inappropriate self-medication Therefore, the design and implementation of training programs are necessary to increase the perception on the risk of self-medication. Appropriate reading skills are important for accessing health information, using health care services, and achieving desirable health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Self-medication can be a boon as well as curse to mankind whose proper application can reduce the unnecessary pressure on the health care system. The focus of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and self-medication practices among undergraduate (UG) medical students, who are more likely to self-medicate themselves due to their limited knowledge and easy drug availability. Methods: The study involved distributing questionnaires among undergraduate medical students at Government Medical College, using a cross-sectional approach. The data was collected in June 2022, with 360 responses analyzed. The questionnaire, consisting of 17 close-ended questions, included demographics, prevalence, indications for self-medication, commonly self-medicated drugs, patterns of self-medication, and knowledge about safety and consequences. Results: 327 students willingly participated in the study of which 164 were females and 163 were males belonging to the age group of 18-25 years. The prevalence of self-medication was found to be 75.5%. Most common indication was cold, cough & sore throat (70.4%) followed by headache (66%). Antipyretics (71.2%) and analgesics (62.3%) were most commonly used class of drugs. 84.5% students are aware about adverse effects of drugs. 74% opine that self-medication is not a good practice. Conclusion: Due to rising incidence of self-medication amongst the undergraduate medical students there is an increased risk of adverse drug effects. Thus, it is crucial to undertake measures that emphasize education and awareness, aiming to discourage self-medication among them.

This work examined the use of over-the-counter drugs and its health implications in Awka South LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria. The objective of the study is to empirically interrogate the prevalence of over-the-counter drug use in Awka South LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria; the factors influencing it, and its health implications. The study used a mixed methods research approach, with 204 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure. The structured questionnaire and In-Depth Interview (IDI) guide acted as data-gathering tools. The quantitative data were coded and processed with SPSS version 20. Frequency tables were utilized to evaluate, characterize, and show the data, whereas quantitative data were manually transcribed and analyzed using content analysis. Two study hypotheses were developed and tested using chi-square inference statistics. This study revealed that various factors influence the use of OTC drugs in Awka South LGA. The study equally found that the use of OTC drugs is very prevalent in Awka South LGA. Moreover, the study also found that abusing OTC drugs has health implications. Based on these findings, this study recommended that the government should regulate the production, sale, and advertisement of OTC drugs. The study also recommended that sensitization and awareness programs should be carried out periodically to teach people when and when not to use OTC drugs.

Background: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a major global concern. Irrational use of antibiotics including self-medication (SM) with leftovers without a medical prescription can be a leading cause. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and related factors of leftover antibiotics (LA) in Lebanese households. Study design: A cross-sectional study of the Lebanese population was conducted between March and October 2022. Methods: Through random proportional stratified sampling, a total of 494 families participated in this study. Data collection was carried out through phone calls using a comprehensive and reviewed questionnaire. The data was then analyzed using SPSS version 26. Logistic regression was utilized to identify the factors associated with LA, with the presence of LA in households as the dependent variable and other factors such as age, region of residence, and presence of elderly individuals at home as the independent variables. Results: Among selected households, 118 households (23.89%) had LA. The most common type of antibiotic found was penicillin (59.84%). Most of the LA were in the form of tablets and capsules (94%) with valid expiration dates (87%). Antibiotics were mainly prescribed by doctors (61%), and the main reason for prescribing was acute respiratory tract infections (47.46%). SM was reported by 42.37% of the families with LA. A family with elderly patients (p = 0.002; OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.33–3.73) and those residing in Mount Lebanon (p = 0.019; OR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.14–4.56) had significantly higher odds of having LA. Conclusion: Leftover antibiotics were found in nearly a quarter of the addressed Lebanese families. Therefore, public educational campaigns should be launched to limit injudicious antibiotic use including SM, and to promote proper disposal of any leftovers. It is also crucial to adopt the One Health approach by developing national programs for the safe disposal of LA and implementing regulations to restrict the distribution of antibiotics in pharmacies without a prescription.

Abstract Background and Aims The crises of the last decades have provided more evidence of the need for health literacy as a measure of resilience and preparedness. In this study the relationship between health literacy and health‐seeking behavior was investigated. Methods This study used a cross‐sectional design with a questionnaire of five sections dedicated to health‐seeking behavior, health literacy, family background, socioeconomic status and demographics. Health‐seeking behavior was used in three dimensions namely preference for hospitals, self‐medication, and herbal medicine. The questionnaire was completed by 262 students at the University of Ghana. Results A significant linear regression model (R = 0.39, R² = 0.15, Adjusted R² = 0.13, F = 8.89, p

Abstract Background and aims The promotion of rational use of antibiotics among pregnant women is eminent not only for the risk of teratogenicity in the developing fetus but also the risk of drug resistance with its concomitant high cost of health care. Studies on antibiotic self‐medication among pregnant women in Northern Ghana are rare. Improving the knowledge and awareness among the vulnerable groups about the appropriate use of antibiotics can help in limiting the antibiotic resistance menace. We, therefore, conducted this study to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward antibiotic use among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at a primary health care in Tolon, Northern Region, Ghana. Method We conducted a cross‐sectional study using an interviewer‐administered questionnaire to assess the KAP of 702 pregnant women on antibiotic use. This study was conducted in the Tolon Health Center (THC) from March 2021 and ended in October 2021. Results In this study, 55.6% of pregnant women had good knowledge and 45.3% of them had engaged in self‐medication with antibiotics while pregnant. There were statistically significant associations between participants' background and obstetric characteristics and knowledge of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance, except for age, marital status, and parity. Also, there was a significant association between pregnant women's knowledge and self‐medication or over‐the‐counter purchase of antibiotics. Conclusion We concluded that higher education level, monthly income, good practice, and good knowledge were significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of self‐medication with antibiotics. A well‐structured education that could be easily accepted and understood by pregnant women on the risks of antibiotic self‐medication should be included in the routine education at the antenatal clinics.

IntroductionSelf-medication is a prevalent behavior with significant health implications. Understanding its psychosocial determinants can inform preventative strategies and interventions.MethodsWe evaluated the psychometric properties of the Self-Medication Behavior Inventory (SMBI-9) in a binational study with 779 Colombian and Mexican participants. Concurrent validity was assessed through correlations with related inventories, and confirmatory factor analysis tested the proposed four-factor model.ResultsThe SMBI-9 demonstrated high model fit (CFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.991) and invariance across countries. The factors-Social Influence, Attitude toward Medicine, Avoidance, and Prevention-varied significantly with knowledge of medicine, schooling, health insurance status and gender, underscoring the role of social and personal beliefs in self-medication practices.DiscussionSMBI-9 emerged as a reliable tool for capturing the multifaceted nature of self-medication behaviors. Findings highlight the influence of social norms and personal attitudes, suggesting targeted approaches for behavioral interventions.

Introduction: Self-medication during pregnancy remains a prevalent global phenomenon, with pregnant women often relying on their own judgment to manage symptoms. Objective: This study aimed to assess community pharmacist practice regarding self-medication requests for acne treatment in pregnant women within Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive, observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Community pharmacists completed a questionnaire after interacting with a simulated customer (SC) seeking doxycycline for a pregnant woman. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: One hundred community pharmacists participated in the study. The majority were between 25 and 35 years old (56 %) and worked in chain pharmacies (81 %). Notably, 71 % requested a prescription before dispensing any medication. While 66 % advised the SC to consult a physician or dermatologist, only 15 % inquired about the pregnancy and related information of the SC's sister. Conclusion: This study suggests a positive trend in community pharmacy practice regarding self-medication requests during pregnancy. However, further improvement is needed, particularly in terms of in-depth inquiry about pregnancy status and potential risks associated with specific medications. Collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health (MOH), Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), and pharmacy education programs are crucial to minimize inappropriate dispensing practices and ensure optimal patient safety.

Abstract Self-medication (SM) is the practice of consuming medicines without a prescription. Despite being a potentially dangerous action, SM is practiced globally and has been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate SM for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and the factors associated with this practice among undergraduate students in Southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2020 using an electronic questionnaire to collect information about the practice of SM and the associated sociodemographic characteristics, health perception, and lifestyle. We collected 1,553 responses and identified a prevalence of 14.9% for SM. The risk factors for SM were earning between BRL 2,101 and BRL 5,250, studying at a public university, and studying a distance undergraduate course. The protective factors were age above 30 years, female sex, working or participating in internships, occasionally recommending their own medications to other people, and worsening health during the pandemic. The main drugs or products used were ivermectin, vitamins C and D, tea, azithromycin, zinc, and propolis. Our data could help in the development of health education measures to reduce SM among undergraduate students and guide the population regarding the risks of this practice.

Raden Tina Dewi Judistiani,1,2,&ast; Aprilya Eka Pratiwi,3,&ast; Kurnia Wahyudi,1 Agnesya Gunawan,2 Anita Rahmawati,4 Rovina Ruslami2,4 1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia; 2Centre for Clinical Infection Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia; 3Magister in Epidemiology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia; 4Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Raden Tina Dewi Judistiani, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jalan Eijkman 38, Lantai 4, Bandung, 40162, Indonesia, Tel +62 811249731, Email tina.d.judistiani@unpad.ac.idPurpose: Medication use during pregnancy should be considered carefully due to its potential harm to the fetus. Data on prescribed medication and self-medication among Indonesian pregnant women is lacking. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors related to medication use among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at community health posts in Soreang, a suburban area in Indonesia.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted. Data on medication use, excluding supplements, were collected. Medication was categorized using the former United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) pregnancy risk classification system. Proportions of pregnant women using prescribed medication and self-medication during pregnancy and associated factors were calculated.Results: A total of 439 pregnant women were enrolled. There were 155 (35.5%) subjects who used at least one medication during pregnancy. These subjects had medical problems as the reasons for medication use. Among medication users, prescribed medication and self-medication were demonstrated in 138 (89.0%) and 17 (11.0%) pregnant women, respectively. There was a pregnant woman who was exposed to category D medication. Self-medication among pregnant women was less likely when health insurance was available (adjusted OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.027– 0.413, P = 0.001).Conclusion: The prevalence of medication use among Indonesian pregnant women is high. The presence of health insurance was protective against self-medication among pregnant women. Safe and effective practices in prescribing have to be ensured for pregnant women.Keywords: medication, self-medication, pregnancy, prevalence

Wenjie Qu,1,2,&ast; Xinyu Wang,1,&ast; Yufei Liu,3 Jinfeng Mao,2 Mengchi Liu,4 Yaqin Zhong,1,2 Bella Gao,5 Miaomiao Zhao,1 Yuexia Gao1,2 1Department of Health Management, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China; 2Institute for Health Development, Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China; 3Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, People’s Republic of China; 4National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 5Ulink College of Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Miaomiao Zhao; Yuexia Gao, Department of Health Management, School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Road, Jiangsu, 226019, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86150 0450 1812 ; +86139 6296 8819, Email zhaomiaomiao@ntu.edu.cn; yxgao@ntu.edu.cnBackground: Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) among children is a common practice in low-income and middle-income countries, which has accelerated antibacterial abuse.Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of SMA among children in China, including parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards antibiotic use.Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a structured questionnaire survey of parents was conducted in Nantong between July and September 2020. A total of 1699 respondents participated. Information on participants’ demographic and family characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards antibiotics use was collected. Hierarchical binary logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of SMA among children.Results: Among 1699 participants, 23.31% practiced SMA to their children in the past year. Cough (59.6%) was the most common symptom leading to self-medication and penicillins (85.4%) were the most commonly used drugs. Hierarchical regression indicated that parents with higher level of antibiotic knowledge scores (OR=1.163, 95% CI: 1.067– 1.268) and buying antibiotics without a prescription from pharmacy (OR=1.475, 95% CI: 1.097– 1.983) were more likely to practice SMA to their children both in urban and in rural areas. Storing antibiotics at home resulted in an increased likelihood of self-medication in urban areas but not in rural areas. In addition, there was also a higher probability of non-prescribed antibiotics in children without chronic diseases (OR=1.959, 95% CI:1.072– 3.578).Conclusion: The prevalence of SMA in children is high in China. Higher knowledge scores and practices of buying and storing non-prescribed antibiotics behaviors increased parents’ antibiotic self-medication in their children. Practical and effective education intervention for children’s rational use of antibiotics is urgently strengthened.Keywords: antibiotic, self-medication, children, China, antibiotic knowledge, attitude

Amal A Alyami,1 Manal M Alem,2 Shereen R Dorgham,3 Sahar A Alshamandy4 1Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Pharmacology, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Nursing Education, College of Nursing, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 4Obstetrics and Women’s Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Minia University, Minya, EgyptCorrespondence: Manal M Alem, Department of Pharmacology, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, PO Box 1982, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia, Email malem@iau.edu.saBackground: Globally, unjustified medication use during pregnancy, a critical phase in human life, is a threat that compromises the safety of both, the mother and the child. We aim to investigate the prevalence of over-the-counter (OTC) or non-prescription and prescription medication use during pregnancy in women from the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the level of prior knowledge, and the sources of their information about medication hazard/safety.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-administered questionnaire for 287 pregnant women visiting King Saud Medical City (KSMC) – outpatient departments for routine antenatal care during 3 months (1st Mar– 31st May 2021). The questionnaire was developed by Navaro et al with 4 sections: socio-demographic data, medication use during pregnancy, level of knowledge, and relevant sources of information.Results: The participants had a mean age of 32.21 years ± 6.41 (SD), and gestational age of 23.67 weeks ± 8.47. About 76.66% of them reported using medication during their current pregnancy: predominantly prescribed (86.36%). Women who used medication during pregnancy were slightly older; the mean difference was 1.97 years (95% CI 0.23– 3.71) (P=0.027). Women living in an urban environment as compared with rural had a higher prevalence of medication use (79.01% vs 52%) (P=0.002). Overall, 58.19% reported using non-prescribed medications during pregnancy, with analgesics as the most frequently used class (70.30%). The mild nature of the illnesses and availability of an old prescription and information from pharmacists were the main reasons for self-medication. About 40.77% denied receiving any information about medication use during pregnancy.Conclusion: The prevalence of the medication use during pregnancy in our population is alarmingly high. Analgesics were the most frequently used. Lack of adequate information from treating physicians appears to be contributory to self-medication during this critical time.Keywords: nursing, antenatal care, pregnancy care, prescription medication, non-prescription medications, over-the-counter, fetal health and development, self-medication

This study examines the psychological influence of the internet on self-medication among Undergraduate Students at a University in Oyo State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey that is correlational with the total population that consisted of all the students was used. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 200 students from 10 departments in five faculties at a University in Oyo State, Nigeria. The information was collected and analysed with a simple percentage and mean. Pearson Product Moment Correlation to check the hypotheses at p< 0.05 significant level. The results show the rate of self-medication to be moderate and that internet contributed to self-medication among students. However, the results did not show a significant correlation between the internet and self-medication (r=0.152, < 0.292; p 0.05), while a significant relationship exists between the level of knowledge and self-medication (r=0.310, > 0.029; p 0.05). This study concluded that the internet influences self-medication. Therefore, it is recommended that students avoid getting prescriptions from the internet.

Abstract Background The practice of self-medication is common but not without risk, especially for vulnerable populations such as the pediatric population. Community pharmacists have an important role of vigilance in dispensing drugs available without a medical prescription, with the possibility of carrying out a Pharmaceutical Intervention (PI) if necessary. The aim of our study was to characterize the Pediatric Pharmaceutical Interventions (PPIs) in self-medication carried out during a spontaneous request for a drug at the community pharmacy. Methods We conducted a descriptive study in 139 pharmacies in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (France). Data were collected from students under the supervision of internship masters in the pharmacy, using the validated GIPAMED (GrId for PhArmaceutical Self-MEDication interventions) notification grid, the first week of each month, from February to May for five years (2017 to 2021). Collected data were entered on a secure university platform. Results Of the 3,552 PIs collected, 8,3% (n = 286) were PPIs. Of these PPIs, 35% (n = 100) was generated by requests for optional prescription drugs contraindicated by the pathophysiological condition, 28.3% for drugs requiring a prescription and 20.6% for over the counter drugs not indicated by the symptomatology. Finally, 10% of requests required a referral for a medical consultation. Four Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classes accounted for more than 90% of the requests: respiratory system (39.5%), alimentary tract and metabolism (19.2%), nervous system (11.5%), and musculoskeletal system (10.8%). The most common drugs generating PPIs were: ibuprofen, oxomemazine and combination camphor/essential oils, mainly due to age-related or weight-related contraindication. Paracetamol also generated PPIs frequently, mainly due to problems with drug compliance and more precise infra-therapeutic doses. When these PPIs were dispensed, the pharmacist’s proposed solutions were accepted in 94.8% (n = 271) of the cases. Conclusions The community pharmacist has an important role in providing information about medicines and their correct use to patients. Our research shows that this attention benefits vulnerable populations, such as children, even for drugs that are widely used (e.g. paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or active substances for which there are age-related or weight-related contraindications (e.g. antitussives, camphor combinations).

Valentina Arboleda Forero,1 Jhanelis Patricia Cruzate Hernández,1 Maricela Yepes Restrepo,1 Luis Felipe Higuita-Gutiérrez1,2 1School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; 2School of Medicine, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, ColombiaCorrespondence: Luis Felipe Higuita-Gutiérrez, Email Luis.higuita@campusucc.edu.coObjective: To describe the frequency of self-medication with antibiotics and its associated factors in Medellín, Colombia.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 778 individuals surveyed regarding sociodemographic characteristics, self-medication with antibiotics, reasons for using these drugs, and types of antibiotics used. The analysis was performed in SPSS using absolute and relative frequencies with their corresponding confidence intervals, chi-square test, and logistic regression.Results: The frequency of self-medication with antibiotics was 46% (95% CI 42.5– 49.5), with 47.4% (95% CI 42.2– 52.5) of the population using antibiotics without medical prescription for flu-like symptoms related to COVID-19. Amoxicillin (33.7%), azithromycin (10.9%), and cephalexin (4.7%) were the most used antibiotics. The main factors associated with self-medication were age group, zone of residence, and lack of information on the appropriate use of these medications.Conclusion: The city exhibits a high frequency of self-medication with antibiotics, predominantly in conditions where they are ineffective, such as flu-like symptoms related to COVID-19. These findings highlight the contribution of the COVID-19 pandemic to bacterial resistance through self-medication and underscore the need to implement targeted actions to control the use of these medications.Keywords: self-medication, antibiotics, COVID-19, bacterial resistance

Context: Self-medication is a self-care practice. It is a frequent and widespread habit in all societies and does not distinguish between sex and age. Therefore, students are not exempt from using this practice. Aims: To carry out a systematic review of scientific articles published between 2010 and 2020 on self-medication in university students of careers related to medical and biological sciences with PRISMA guidelines. Methods: A standardized search was performed in four databases with the following terms: Automedicación (in Spanish), Self-medication, Automedication, University Student, and Students. For the selection of studies, the Rayyan® tool was used. The most relevant information on self-medication of university students was collected. Results: Fourteen articles were included and evaluated as high, medium, and low quality with the AXIS tool. The results of the study reflected a high self-medication in university students of careers related to medical and biological sciences, with a higher prevalence of self-medication in women than in men. The more knowledge these students have, the greater their self-medication and, thus, they always maintain this practice, being the most indicated causes for it the problems in the respiratory tract, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems. The main reasons for these students to practice self-medication are the knowledge they have acquired in their curricula, due to past experiences with the same symptoms and minor illnesses. Pharmacies, through friends, relatives or neighbors and home medicine cabinets are the most common places for the acquisition of medications by these students, indicating that analgesics/anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and antipyretics are the most used medications among them. Conclusions: These students practice self-medication because they consider they have sufficient knowledge about diseases and their treatments, which gives them more confidence in making the decision to self-medicate. Subsequently, self-knowledge is a decisive reason for self-medication. Moreover, self-medication patterns regarding the use of drugs from various therapeutic categories vary among medical and biological sciences university students from different countries.

Riham M Hamadouk,1,2 Einass M Alshareif,1 Omnia M Ibrahim,3 Esra D Albashair,1 Bashir A Yousef4 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Almughtaribeen University, Khartoum, Sudan; 3Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan; 4Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, SudanCorrespondence: Bashir A Yousef, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Al-Qasr Ave, Khartoum, 11111, Sudan, Tel +249155662037, Fax +249183780696, Email bashiralsiddiq@gmail.comBackground: Antibiotics play an important role in decreasing morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, inappropriate use of them by patients or healthcare professionals contributes to their resistance rendering them less efficacious. Community pharmacists (CPs) have a significant part in reducing antibiotic resistance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the dispensing of antibiotics without prescription in community pharmacies with an emphasis on cefixime dispensing.Methods: A cross-sectional, simulated patient (SP) study was conducted in the Khartoum locality. A total of 238 community pharmacies were randomly chosen using simple random sampling. One scenario of uncomplicated urinary tract infection was designed, and six female pharmacy students who were trained to act as SPs presented the scenario. Descriptive statistics were applied to report the study outcomes.Results: In the 238 pharmacy visits, at least one antibiotic was dispensed without a prescription in 69.3% of the simulated visits. Among the dispensed antibiotics, ciprofloxacin was the most dispensed antibiotic followed by cefixime representing 51.5% and 41.8%, respectively, of total dispensed antibiotics. Cefixime was dispensed as a first choice by CPs in 29% of the visits, and in the rest of the visits, only 37.3% of CPs refused to dispense cefixime after SP demand.Conclusion: The findings revealed a high rate of antibiotics dispensing without prescription by CPs in Khartoum state, and cefixime was obtained with ease before and after the patient’s demand. Urgent corrective actions such as imposing strict regulations, monitoring pharmacists’ practice, and endorsing educational programs for pharmacists are needed to prevent inappropriate antibiotic dispensing practices.Keywords: antibiotics, cefixime, community pharmacists, simulated patient, self-medication

Abstract Background Respiratory diseases (RD) can challenge healthcare systems around the globe. Natural health products (NHPs) are popular complementary and alternative medicine options for health issues concerning non-fatal RD. Little is known about the characteristics of the users of RD-NHPs and about their NHP consumption behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany. Methods A representative online survey was conducted in Germany in 2022. 1707 participants were classified based on having used NHPs for RD within the previous 12 months, having used NHPs but not for RD within the previous 12 months and not having used NHPs. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods as well as a multinomial logistic regression model. Results Users of RD-NHPs within the previous 12 months were more likely to be employed and to consult pharmacists more often for non-fatal health issues than individuals who did not take RD-NHPs. RD-NHP users were more likely to suffer from a Covid-19 infection and to have children living in the same household than other NHP users. Compared to non-NHP users, RD-NHP users were more likely to be female, highly educated and have stronger openness-to-change value orientations. Vaccination-related behavior was no indicator of RD-NHP usage. Most RD-NHP users took NHPs in self-medication. Few reported informing their practitioner about their self-medication. Drugstores were the most visited supply source for NHPs during the pandemic, followed by pharmacies. Common information sources regarding NHPs were the products themselves and pharmacists. Conclusion This study emphasized the important role of NHPs as a popular prevention and treatment option for RD. RD-NHPs were more likely used by individuals who were employed, who suffered from a RD and who consult pharmacists for non-fatal health issues. The importance of product information and pharmacies as information sources should be considered to make communication strategies about safe self-medication options with RD-NHPs more effective, which could help to reduce the burden of health facilities regarding non-fatal RD. To improve and develop future pandemic-control strategies, health professionals and policy makers should consider NHP usage behavior and provide critical information about chances and risks of self-medicated NHP consumption.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in patients suffering from headaches and the association of several types of headache in the same patient. Material and methods: We carried out a research based on the survey technique, using an online-managed questionnaire as tool. The questionnaire we used included elements as suggested by the International Headache Society (IHS) and was intended to identify both the headache form and the TMD specific symptomatology. The total number of respondents was 1019. Results: We were able to identify a close relation between headache and TMD. The data analysis shows an increased prevalence of headaches in women. The questionnaire revealed that a higher percentage of the respondents (33,9%) suffer from one type of headache, and is closely followed by a percentage of 27,7% suffering from two associated types and we regrettably noticed an increased frequency of persons preferring to self-medicate. Conclusions: We were, thus, able to demonstrate a close relation between TMD and headache, but we are rather concerned about the fact that a considerably large number of respondents prefer the self-medication option. This is a very alarming issue for the medical system in Romania.

BackgroundMalaria remains a public health problem in Kenya despite sustained interventions deployed by the government. One of the major impediments to effective malaria control is a lack of accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. This study was conducted to assess clinical malaria incidence and treatment seeking profiles of febrile cases in western Kenya.MethodsActive case detection of malaria was carried out in three eco-epidemiologically distinct zones topologically characterized as lakeshore, hillside, and highland plateau in Kisumu County, western Kenya, from March 2020 to March 2021. Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) conducted biweekly visits to residents in their households to interview and examine for febrile illness. A febrile case was defined as an individual having fever (axillary temperature ≥ 37.5 °C) during examination or complaints of fever and other nonspecific malaria related symptoms 1-2 days before examination. Prior to the biweekly malaria testing by the CHVs, the participants' treatment seeking methods were based on their behaviors in response to febrile illness. In suspected malaria cases, finger-prick blood samples were taken and tested for malaria parasites with ultra-sensitive Alere® malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for quality control examination.ResultsOf the total 5838 residents interviewed, 2205 residents had high temperature or reported febrile illness in the previous two days before the visit. Clinical malaria incidence (cases/1000people/month) was highest in the lakeshore zone (24.3), followed by the hillside (18.7) and the highland plateau zone (10.3). Clinical malaria incidence showed significant difference across gender (χ2 = 7.57; df = 2, p = 0.0227) and age group (χ2 = 58.34; df = 4, p

Introduction: With few trained healthcare practitioners and limited personal finances, many patients in low/middle income countries purchase prescription medications from non-physician   prescribers (NPP). This study documents various aspects of this practice, including patterns of prescribing, and the patient’s understanding of medication risks.Methods: From January to April 2017, 479 patients entering two hospitals in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, were surveyed. Demographics, medications, types of NPP who provided the medication, patients history and physicians’ chart data were documented. Information, including symptoms when the medication was purchased, possible side effects, hospital presenting symptoms, etc, was recorded. The patient’s understanding of medication allergies  and risk of serious side effects was also documented.Results: Of the 467 patients included, more than half (59%), reported buying medications from NPPs within the two weeks before presenting to the hospital. Nearly half of those patients, (42%), could not identify any of their medications. Of those 159 patients who could identify at least one drug, 79% bought at least one medication that would require a prescription in the United States. Only 8% of patients were aware that medications could cause serious harm. Twenty-three percent of the known medications were oral or injectable corticosteroids, and 56% of steroid users, typically chronic users, had evidence of possible side effects.Conclusion: Many patients in one low/middle income country received prescription medications from various NPPs with little information concerning these medications. Efforts to  educate the public about their medications and the potential risks of medications are needed. [West J Emerg Med. 2022;22(3)445–452.]

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Background: Consecutive visitors to a public science event at Leipzig University were asked about their opinions/attitudes regarding their personal use of self-medication. Methods: A written questionnaire survey addressed (i) participants’ characteristics, (ii) frequency of self-medication use in the last 12 months, (iii) symptoms/complaints most frequently considered applicable, (iv) preconditions, (v) limitations, (vi) risks, (vii) fears, (viii) medication information sources, (ix) influencing factors, and (x) reasons for decision making. Results: (i) A total of 189 visitors (median age: 29.0 years; Q25/Q75: 22.0/44.0) participated, of whom 64.0% were female, 38.6% had a university degree, 20.1% were in training, and 14.8% were licensed in a healthcare profession. (ii) A total of 59.3% of participants stated that they had used self-medication regularly in the last 12 months. The most common answers in the respective questions were (iii) headache, 86.2%; (iv) mild complaints/symptoms, 94.7%; (v) duration, 91.6%; (vi) “self-medication may cause adverse drug reactions”, 94.2%; (vii) “developing a habituation effect”, 58.7%; (viii) pharmacists, 93.7%; (ix) “physician’s recommendation”, 89.3%; (x) “intensity of complaints”, 92.6%; and (vi) 61.3% believed that they could choose an appropriate self-medication. Conclusion: Younger and well-educated adults report using self-medication frequently and rate their expertise as high. Healthcare professionals are the preferred source of information.

Background The incidence of self-medication varies greatly for each country. It is a widely used method across advanced and developing nations worldwide. Self-medication is taking pharmaceuticals without seeking physician advice for a diagnosis or treatment. This study will evaluate geriatrics’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding self-medication. The objectives of the current study are to examine the practice of self-medication and assess the knowledge and attitude toward the same in the senior population, as well as the socio-demographic aspects influencing its usage and the reasons for its use. We also aim to test the correlation between demographic issues and self-medication. Methods A cross-sectional study will be conducted in the rural community area of the Wardha district. A survey will be used to evaluate the entire sample of geriatric age groups to determine the socio-demographic characteristics and associated risk factors for practicing self-medication. A semi-structured, pre-validated questionnaire Self-Medication Scale (SMS) will be used to understand the participants’ practice and attitudes regarding self-medication. The frequency and percentages of descriptive statistics will be determined. The correlation among variables will be discovered using the Chi-Square Test. Tables, graphs, and charts will present the data analysed. Study implications The present study will help formulate guidelines on medicine access and reinforce them with strong policy implementation mechanisms. The study will also help provide medical insurance or free consultations for populations in need.

Pregnancy is an important event in women’s life as it involves various physiological and anatomical alterations to match and accommodate with the development of the fetus. Due to c-morbidities and pregnancy related complications, pregnant women often requires medical management which includes medication use. We reviewed the literature for studies that assessed medication use among pregnant women in the Arabian countries. Prevalence of medication use among pregnant women from Arabian countries varied from 40% to 98.2%. The most commonly used medications were vitamin and supplements, analgesics, antibiotics, and herbal medicines. The most frequently reported justification for self-medication were: inconvenience, less expensive, previous experience with disease, and that the diseases are not serious. In conclusion, the use of medications during pregnancy were found to be prevalent among pregnant women in the Arabian countries.

Background: Self-medication is one of the main socioeconomic and health problems in different societies and irrational drug consumption can sometimes lead to unfavorable outcomes and even death. The present study has been performed to investigate self-medication and its relevant factors in students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd. Methods: This analytical study investigate 300 students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences Using Cochran's formula in Yazd (2020). The samples were selected by stratified sampling proportional to the strata size and the data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire from Gholipoor etal's article (2012) and analyzed by descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean ± SD and multiple response analysis (MRA), chi-square and binary logistic regression. All statistical analyses were done by SPSS 20 (α=0.05). Results: The total self-medication rate was estimated 39%. The most common causes of self-medication among the students were the experience of the disease (50.4%) and considering the disease non-risky (47.0%).The most common self-medication case was cold (53.0%) and the most common way of supplying the drug for self-medication was purchasing from drugstores (52.1%).The results of multiple logistic regression showed that the only variable having a significant effect on the probability of self-medication was income (p = 0.02); odds of self-medication in students with an average income of 20-30 million Rials was about twice as high as students with an income of more than 30 million Rials (p = 0.02, OR = 1.8). Conclusion: Self-medication is not a safe habit and it can cause complications such as drug interaction, addiction, drug poisoning, concealment of the disease and in general, health risks. Meanwhile, the students’ attitude towards self-medication can affect the behavior of their future patients. So, it is suggested to inform students in this area.

The aim of the paper is to present the most important factors of medicines consumption in Poland. The paper is based on primary research conducted on a sample of 428 respondents in March and April 2020 in Poland using an online questionnaire survey. An algorithm of classification trees was applied to identify classes of respondents who consumed prescription medicines and non-prescription medicines (over-the-counter - OTC). In addition, a logistic regression was proposed to assess relationship between medicines consumption and health status, pro-health behaviors, selected preferences in dietary choices, and demographic characteristics. In the paper lifestyle-related factors that determine the level of medicines consumption were identified. The authors argue that women aged 55 and over significantly increase consumption of both prescription and OTC medicines to maintain health and active lifestyle. What’s more they perform regularly preventive laboratory tests and read carefully information on the food labels before buying food products. In this cross-sectional survey we argue that women take more medications, are more critical of their health and take more care about active ageing. Even if they don't indicate health problems, 50% of them still consume medicines. Among men, 68% do not indicate health complaints and in this group more than 30% consume medicines. It seems that men in less extent combine medicines consumption with active ageing. The survey identifies classes of respondents who consume prescription medicines. These are patients who have health problems and use preventive health care, performing regular medical examinations. The more often medical examinations are performed, the more medicines are consumed. A group of people who often consume non-prescription medicines carefully read information on food labels before purchase, and perform systematically preventive laboratory tests. In general, consumption of both prescription medicines and OTC medicines in Poland increases with age of respondents. Health problems determine consumption of prescription medicines while gender is the most significant factor of non-prescription medicines consumption.

Abstract Background and Aims Self‐medication is a worldwide phenomenon that brings advantages and disadvantages to public health and health systems. This study investigated the extent and causes of self‐medication among medical university students and its implications for public health in Iran in 2020. Methods The present study was designed as a descriptive‐analytical cross‐sectional study that examined the knowledge, attitude, and practice of self‐medication. The population of the study was the students of health sciences programs who all entered the study. The data collection tool included a questionnaire designed online and available to students. The content validity ratio of the questionnaire was 0.84, and the alpha Cronbach coefficient was calculated at 0.8936. Results The prevalence of self‐medication among medical university students was 19%. The most common reason for self‐medication was the safety of medicines (66.67%). The most usual form of medication used was the tablet (35.67%), the most common drug taken was acetaminophen (69.01%), and the most common disease to self‐medicate for was headache (67.36%). Estimating the odds ratio of self‐medication with demographic variables showed no relationship. However, after adjusting the variables, age and type of degree showed an association with self‐medication, as the older participants and postgraduate students had positive attitudes toward self‐medication. Conclusion Self‐medication may be helpful, but it often needs proper guidance and logic and can carry various risks. Considering that medical sciences students will be influential in society in the future, it is necessary to pay more attention to correcting their drug use culture and providing access to health services for everyone. Appropriate prescription of medicines, controlling drug sales in pharmacies, highlighting the role of pharmacists in safe self‐medication, and controlling the prevalence of self‐medication is necessary.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health concern that was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths and indirectly associated with 4.95 million deaths in 2019. Antibiotic resistance (ABR) occurs naturally, but its prevalence has been accelerated broadly due to antibiotic misuse and overuse, poor infection control practices, and availability of substandard and falsified medicines. Objectives: To assess antibiotic use and knowledge of ABR among graduates of tertiary education in Nigeria and evaluate if tertiary education, academic background (science, social sciences, or the arts) and years post-graduation significantly impact antibiotic use and awareness of antibiotic resistance. Result: Despite having tertiary education, 47.7 % of respondents self-medicate with antibiotics, 54.9 % of respondents don't carry out laboratory investigations before using antibiotics, and 70.1 % reduce or stop taking antibiotics on feeling better. Inconvenience, limited access to doctors and financial constraint were the most common reasons for self-medication. Academic background, age, gender and years post-graduation had no statistically significant effect on self-medication practices (p-value>0.05). Inappropriate antibiotic use for viral-infections like sore throat, cold and flu, and diarrhoea was reported in 50.2, 42.6 and 40.2 % of respondents, respectively. Amoxicillin (54.2 %), metronidazole (48.2 %), and ciprofloxacin (45.6 %) were the most used antibiotics. Pharmacists were the most consulted health professionals before antibiotics were used, and the internet is the most common source of information on antibiotic resistance. Most-respondents, 85.5 %, correctly identified that antibiotic misuse contributes to ABR. Conclusion: The increased knowledge and awareness of ABR among respondents did not translate into proper antibiotic use, emphasizing the need for more stringent regulations on antibiotic dispensing and prescribing. Health sector reforms focused on utilizing technology like telemedicine to improve convenient access to health care, and multiple health insurance schemes to reduce out-of-pocket spending should be prioritized to improve health equity and universal health coverage (UHC).

Introduction: Self-medication is using drugs to treat self-diagnosed signs or symptoms of oneself or others. Being closer to pharmacology and pathology, medical students have been more prone to it. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication among basic sciences medical students in a tertiary care centre in Kathmandu. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among basic science students from 15 February 2023 to 14 March 2023 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 04122022/04). A convenience sampling method was used. Data were collected online and analysed. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated. Results: Among 322 basic science medical students the prevalence of self-medication was 218 (67.70%) (64.81–70.59 at 95% Confidence Interval). Fever was the most common condition treated by self-medication 106 (48.62%) and paracetamol was the most common medication 93 (42.66%). Of those who engaged in self-medication, 97 (44.50%) did so to save time. Moreover, within this group, 67 (30.73%) experienced adverse drug reactions, leading 37 (16.97%) of these students to visit a private doctor. Additionally, 138 (63.30%) refrained from prescribing medication to their family and friends. Conclusions: Self-medication among basic science medical students was found to be lower in comparison to other studies done in similar settings.

Background: Self-medicating with antibiotics is prevalent in low- and middle-income nations. This research sought to assess the perspectives on antibiotic usage and self-medication in case of acute pharyngitis, as well as the factors linked to self-medication among patients of a family doctor's clinic in Lublin, Poland. Methods: A original, fully anonymous survey was conducted among patients of a family doctor's clinic in Lublin. The descriptive statistics of answers in questionnaires and Automatic Linear Modeling Regression (LINEAR) was applied to point out the most significant predictors of the antibiotics misuse. Results: A response number of 262 participants was obtained. About 15,6% (41/262) respondents had self-medicated during the last year due to acute pharyngitis symptoms. We have identified the following important risk factors of anti-health behaviours connected with self-medication: frequent occurrence of symptoms of acute pharyngitis, frequent receiving antibiotics on prescription, frequent diagnosing a bacterial cause of sore throat, higher sensitivity to pain and lower education level. Surprisingly our research shows that women present lower sensitivity to pain than men in case of pain connected with acute pharyngitis. Conclusion: There is a need for greater attention paid to the education of the patients presenting the aforementioned risk factors. Education should focus on the risks to the patients connected with antimicrobial resistance.

Background: Self-medication among pregnant women represents a serious risk to the mother’s and child’s health. It is a global concern that requires careful attention from professionals in healthcare. In Morocco, there is a lack of available data on self-medication and predicting variables among pregnant and postpartum women. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of self-medication and the factors that contributed to it among pregnant and postpartum women in the Sous Massa Regional Hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested questionnaire among 420 pregnant and postpartum women who were attending the regional hospital center of the Sous Massa region from April to December 2022. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi Software. The logistic regression analysis was used to determine the significance of the association between the outcome and independent variables.Results: The research enrolled 420 pregnant and postpartum women. During the current pregnancy, 24.8% of the women used self-medication. The leading common causes/symptoms that necessitate self-medication among pregnant and postpartum women were Anemia (84.8%), epigastralgia (16.8%), vomiting, pyrosis (15.2%), and urinary and vaginal infections The therapeutic families concerned with self-medication practice were Analgesics (41.4%), Antacids (20.3%), antimicrobials (13.5%), and Vitamin supplements (9%). According to the findings, the most frequent sources of information were pharmacists (45.6%), followed by physicians (44.3%). The primary reasons given by respondents for self-medication were the need for rapid release (51.7%), previous treatments with the same drugs (31.7%), and 20% reported difficulty of access to healthcare professionals. Out of 95.9% of the participants reported that they knew the dangers of self-medication and 96% of them were informed and received information about the dangers and contraindications of self-medication during pregnancy. This was significantly statistically associated with self-medication respectively with p-value = 0.031 and p-value = 0.005.Conclusion: The findings of the present study provide an initial awareness of the state of self-medication among pregnant and postpartum women attending the regional hospital centers. It is recommended that healthcare professionals increase their interventions to improve the consciousness of pregnant women; this might require implementing suitable strategies to regulate the commercialization, delivery, and use of conventional medications.

Introduction: Self-medication during pregnancy is of special concern as it can lead to serious maternal and fetal adverse effects. By controlling the factors responsible for this practice, we can promote safer health practices during this critical period of a woman’s life. Aims & Objectives: Comparison of the prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women presenting in secondary and tertiary care hospitals of our country. Exploring the factors that contribute to the practice of self-medication in pregnant women. Place and Duration of Study: A multi-centric cross-sectional study was performed at the Heavy Industries Taxila Education City Institute of Medical Sciences (HITEC-IMS) for one-year duration i.e from September 2022 to September 2023. Material & Methods: The study population consisted of 354 pregnant women who were being consulted for antenatal checkups at Gynecology and Obstetrics OPD of Heavy Industries Taxila Hospital (HIT Hospital Taxila) and Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Taxila (THQ Hospital Taxila). Pregnant females of any age and gestation who presented to the OPD for antenatal checkups were included in the study. Any pregnant lady who was unwilling to participate or any of the women who were too critically ill to give a response were excluded from the study. Non-probability convenience sampling was used for the selection of participants. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. SPSS software version 25 was used to analyze the data.Results were deemed significant if the P value was less than 0.05. Results: The prevalence of self-medication in our study came out to be 35.59% in the current pregnancy. There is no significant difference in the prevalence of self-medication in previous and current pregnancies. Prevalence of self- medication in current and previous pregnancies is greater in THQ Hospital than HIT Hospital. Residence, education, monthly income, gestation, gravidity, parity, number of alive children and place of birth are significantly associated with the practice of self-medication in the current pregnancy. Cost and time savings were the two main justifications for self- medication. Headaches were the most frequent complaints treated by self-medication, and leftover medication and drug stores were the most popular sources. Antipyretics and painkillers were the two medications that were most frequently used for self-medication. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication in pregnant women was found to be more in a secondary care hospital as compared to the tertiary care hospital. This concludes that the quality of health care services provided to the patients can significantly impact their attitudes towards the management of their conditions. Thus countries who have lack of tertiary care facilities should try to provide better quality of health care. The factors found responsible should be confronted so that this malpractice can be reduced significantly.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the effectiveness of distributing pocket cards with summaries of key information on appropriate medication usage after the implementation of a structured school-based medication education program for junior high school students in Japan.MethodsA total of 227 3rd-grade high school students participated in the intervention. Students who received the program without the provision of pocket cards in 2022 were included in the comparison group, and students who took the program with the provision of pocket cards in 2023 were included in the intervention group. After propensity score matching, the final sample of N = 116 comprised n = 58 comparison group participants and n = 58 intervention group participants. Questionnaires were administered at baseline, end-of-class, and 3-month follow-up to assess the changes in behavior, attitude, and knowledge scores.ResultsThe matched intervention group showed significantly lower scores at the 3-month follow-up than the matched comparison group. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that for both groups, only the attitude scores were significantly correlated with the behavior scores. In addition, regardless of the baseline scores, the matched intervention group demonstrated smaller or negative changes in scores at the 3-month follow-up.ConclusionOverall, the results of this study did not support the effectiveness of distributing pocket cards after in-class intervention. However, the usefulness of medication education intervention was confirmed. These results emphasize the need to explore other supplemental teaching tools to further enhance the impact of structured medication education programs.