Wang, X;
Peng, D;
Wang, W;
Xu, Y;
Zhou, X;
Hesketh, T;
(2017)
Massive misuse of antibiotics by university students in all regions of China: implications for national policy.
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
, 50
(3)
pp. 441-446.
10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2017.04.009.
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Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to population health this century. The primary cause of AMR is antibiotic misuse, especially the routine use of antibiotics for self-limiting illnesses. The major aim of this study was to explore behaviours in relation to antibiotic use in university students across China. An electronic questionnaire was distributed at a major university in each of the six regions. A cluster random sampling method was adopted. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between knowledge and behaviour. 11192 students completed the questionnaire. In the past month 3337(29.8%) students reported a self-limiting illness, 913(27.4%) saw a doctor, and 600(65.7%) of these were prescribed antibiotics, with 190(31.7%) by infusion; 136(22.7%) asked for and received antibiotics. Of the 1711(51.3%) who treated themselves, 507(29.6%) self-medicated with antibiotics. In the past year 23.0% of students had used antibiotics as prophylaxis, 63.0% kept a personal stock of antibiotics, 56.0% had bought antibiotics at a drugstore, two-thirds without a prescription. Students with lower knowledge scores about antibiotics were significantly more likely to see a doctor, to be prescribed with antibiotics, to self-medicate with antibiotics and use them prophylactically. This massive misuse of antibiotics for self-limiting illnesses by well-educated young adults is a serious concern. A national campaign is needed urgently to address rational prescribing of antibiotics by doctors, enforcement of existing restrictions on the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics, and education of the general public about antibiotics and the management of self-limiting illness.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Massive misuse of antibiotics by university students in all regions of China: implications for national policy |
| Location: | Netherlands |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2017.04.009 |
| Publisher version: | http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2017.04.009 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | © 2017 Elsevier B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Antibiotic use behaviors, antimicrobial resistance, university students |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute for Global Health |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1562276 |
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