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Assessment of self-medication in population buying antibiotics in pharmacies: a pilot study from Beirut and its suburbs

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

This study was performed to assess self-medication with antibiotics (ATB) in the general population and its associated factors.

Methods

Face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted to collect data from ATB buyers in pharmacies in Beirut area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to predict self-medication.

Results

42 % of 319 participants were buying ATB without prescription and the pharmacists were the main helpers (18.8 %). Saving time was the most common cited reason for self-medication with ATB (39.7 %). The logistic regression showed that self-medication with ATB was significantly increased among men [OR = 3.03; IC 95 % (2–5)]; it was associated with sore throat symptoms [OR = 2.38; IC 95 % (1.40–4.03)] and the ignorance of ATB use dangers [OR = 3.33; IC 95 % (1.96–5.55)]. In addition, it was prominent with amoxicillin [OR = 1.93; IC 95 % (0.17–1.34)], and inversely related to quinolone [OR = 0.44; IC 95 % (0.18–1.03)] and cephalosporin families [OR = 0.28; IC 95 % (0.11–1.68)] or other ATB classes [OR = 0.96; IC 95 % (0.41–2.22)].

Conclusions

Self-medication with antibiotics is a relatively frequent problem in Beirut area. Interventions are required to reduce antibiotic misuse.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Public Health, Section II, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Lina Cheaito, Nadine Saleh & Pascale Salameh

  2. Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Sophie Azizi, Nadine Saleh & Pascale Salameh

  3. Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Pascale Salameh

Authors
  1. Lina Cheaito
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  2. Sophie Azizi
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  3. Nadine Saleh
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  4. Pascale Salameh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nadine Saleh.

Additional information

L. Cheaito and S. Azizi contributed equally to the manuscript and to the work.

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Cheaito, L., Azizi, S., Saleh, N. et al. Assessment of self-medication in population buying antibiotics in pharmacies: a pilot study from Beirut and its suburbs. Int J Public Health 59, 319–327 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-013-0493-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-013-0493-y

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