Prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and its related factors among Chinese residents: a cross-sectional study

Xiaoxv Yin,Jianxiong Wu,Nan Jiang,Jing Wang,Fengjie Yang,Guopeng Zhang,Heping Yang,Ketao Mu,Zhenyuan Chen

doi:10.1186/s13756-021-00954-3

Abstract

BackgroundSelf-medication is one of the most common forms of inappropriate use of antibiotics. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) in China and evaluate the related factors.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in Wuhan, Hubei, China from July 1, 2019 to July 31, 2019. Participants were recruited in public places to answer a structured questionnaire. The information of participants’ social demographic characteristics, antibiotic knowledge and health beliefs were collected. Binary Logistics regression analysis was used to examine the associated factors of SMA.ResultsOf the 3206 participants, 10.32% reported SMA in the past 6 months. Participants who with middle or high perceived barriers to seek health care services showed a higher likelihood of SMA (P < 0.05). Participants who with middle or high perceived threats of self-medication, and who with middle or high self-efficacy to overcome obstacles showed a lower likelihood of SMA (P < 0.05).ConclusionsCompared with developed countries, the prevalence of SMA in China is still higher. Measures to conduct public health education and improve the accessibility of health services are crucial to decrease the overall self-medication rate in China.

Highlights

Under the combined action of biological and social factors, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a serious threat to global public health [1, 2]
In terms of internal factors, previous studies found that age, income, education level and antibiotic knowledge were significantly correlated with self-medication [11,12,13]
80% lived in cities, and more than half of the participants had college degrees or above

Summary

Introduction

Under the combined action of biological and social factors, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a serious threat to global public health [1, 2]. The global self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) reaches alarmingly high rates, especially in low-and middle-income countries [5]. A study in Tanzania showed that 58.0% of the respondents admitted to SMA (SMA) [6]. The sales of antibiotics without prescriptions may be an important external factor [8], which is intensely shared in low- and middle-income countries. In terms of internal factors, previous studies found that age, income, education level and antibiotic knowledge were significantly correlated with self-medication [11,12,13]. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) in China and evaluate the related factors

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Discussion

Conclusion