Antibiotic self‑medication and knowledge among pharmacy students: A cross‑sectional survey at Mosul University
TL;DR
The findings indicate that greater knowledge is associated with higher rates of self-medication among fifth-year students, and integrating stewardship principles early in curricula, enforcing prescription-only policies, and launching collaborative awareness campaigns could address this knowledge-behaviour gap.
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat linked to antibiotic self-medication. Pharmacy students are particularly at risk due to their access to medications and confidence in self-prescribing. This study assessed the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among pharmacy students at Mosul University, comparing knowledge and practices across different training stages, and explored their proposed solutions. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 382 students (187 second-year, 195 fifth-year) to assess demographics, knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and various statistical tests. Results: A total of 80.6% of students reported self-medication in the past year, with fifth-year students showing a higher prevalence (89.7%) compared to second-year students (71.1%; p < 0.0001). Fifth-year students had greater knowledge of antibiotic effectiveness (68.7% vs. 32.6%), AMR awareness (96.9% vs. 50.8%), and adverse consequences (94.4% vs. 27.8%). Despite these differences, multivariable analysis showed that the knowledge score was not independently associated with self-medication (p = 0.761), whereas fifth-year status remained significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The findings indicate that greater knowledge is associated with higher rates of self-medication among fifth-year students. Integrating stewardship principles early in curricula, enforcing prescription-only policies, and launching collaborative awareness campaigns could address this knowledge-behaviour gap.