Silent Drivers of Resistance: Over-the-Counter Antibiotic Use among Medical and Non-Medical Students

Abstract

Background: Over-the-counter antibiotic use is a growing public health concern, contributing to antimicrobial resistance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This practice is common among students, who often access antibiotics without medical consultation. This study determined the frequency, knowledge, and practices of over-the-counter use of antibiotics among medical and non-medical students.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, over a 6-month period. A total of 400 participants were recruited, including 200 medical students from a tertiary care hospital and 200 non-medical students from a nearby college selected by non-probability convenience sampling. Students who were on regular prescribed medication were excluded. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire. SPSS version 23 was used to enter and analyze data.
Results: Over-the-counter antibiotic use was reported by 26.8% of medical students and 43.5% of non-medical students. Common reasons included cold and fever. Analgesics and antipyretics were the most often utilized medications, followed by antibiotics and antidepressants. Pharmacies were the main source. Awareness of side effects was higher in medical students (64.5%), and 57.5% of medical students and 28.5% of non-medical students recommended drugs to others, while 16% of medical students and 8% of non-medical students reported side effects.
Conclusion: The findings show that while non-medical students also self-medicate, medical students do so more frequently and with greater awareness of potential negative effects. There is also an urgent need to raise awareness regarding over-the-counter use of antibiotics.