Ahmed, I, King, R, Akter, S et al. (2 more authors) (2023) Determinants of antibiotic self-medication: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 19 (7). pp. 1007-1017. ISSN 1551-7411
Abstract
Background
Decreasing the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among the public requires proper understanding of the risk factors involved. However, the determinants of antibiotic self-medication are not well defined.
Objectives
To identify patient and health system-related determinants of antibiotic self-medication among the public.
Methods
A systematic review of quantitative observational studies and qualitative studies was undertaken. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies on determinants of antibiotic self-medication. The data were analyzed using Meta-analysis, descriptive analysis, and thematic analysis.
Results
Sixty-eight studies were included in the review. From meta-analyses, male sex (pooled odds ratios [POR]: 1.52, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.19–1.75), lack of satisfaction with healthcare services/physicians (POR: 3.53, 95% CI: 2.26–4.75) were associated with antibiotic self-medication. In subgroup analysis, lower age was directly associated with self-medication in high-income countries (POR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10–2.36). In low- and middle-income countries, people with greater knowledge of antibiotics were less likely to self-medicate (POR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.08–0.47). Patient-related determinants identified from descriptive and qualitative studies included previous experience with antibiotics and similar symptoms, perceived low severity of disease, intention to save time and get better quickly, cultural beliefs about curative power of antibiotics, advice from family/friends, and having home stock of antibiotics. Health system-related determinants included high cost of consulting physicians and low cost of self-medication, lack of access to physician/medical care, lack of trust/confidence in physicians, greater trust in pharmacists, long distance of physicians/healthcare facilities, long waiting time at healthcare facilities, easy access to antibiotics from pharmacies, and convenience associated with self-medication.
Conclusions
Patient and health system-related determinants are associated with antibiotic self-medication. Interventions to decrease antibiotic self-medication should incorporate community programs along with appropriate policies and healthcare reforms targeting these determinants with specific attention to population at high risk of self-medication.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an author produced version of an article published in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Antibiotics; Self-medication; Determinants; Systematic review |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Dentistry (Leeds) > Oral Surgery (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 27 Mar 2023 12:52 |
Last Modified: | 21 Mar 2024 01:13 |
Published Version: | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.03.009 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:197694 |
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