Antibiotics Self-Medication among Southern Iranian University Students

Research Article

Antibiotics Self-Medication among Southern Iranian University Students

S. Sarahroodi, A. Arzi, A.F. Sawalha and A. Ashtarinezhad

The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and behavior toward antibiotic self-medication among medical and non-medical university students in Iran. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 200 students randomly chosen from a medical and a non-medical university in Ahwaz, South of Iran in 2008. Data was collected using self administered questionnaires with open-ended and close-ended items. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 14 and the results were presented as the percentage 97.5% of respondents filled and returned the questionnaire. Self-medication with antibiotics was reported by 42.2% of the medical and 48% of the non-medical students during the last 3 months. Respiratory problems such as sore throat and common cold was the main indication for self-medication with antibiotics (73.3%) and amoxicillin was the most commonly used antibiotic in both groups. The choice of self-medication was based on medical knowledge among medical students (50%) and on a previous suggestion by a physician (32.6%) for the non-medical ones. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among medical and non-medical students was high. Educational programs are needed to teach university students about the potential problems of self-medication with antibiotics.

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S. Sarahroodi, A. Arzi, A.F. Sawalha and A. Ashtarinezhad, 2010. Antibiotics Self-Medication among Southern Iranian University Students. International Journal of Pharmacology, 6: 48-52.

DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2010.48.52

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijp.2010.48.52

International Journal of Pharmacology

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Authors

S. Sarahroodi

A. Arzi

A.F. Sawalha

A. Ashtarinezhad

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Research Article

Antibiotics Self-Medication among Southern Iranian University Students

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