title: Antibiotic knowledge and self-medication practices in a developing country: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Self-medication is identified by the World Health Organization as a major factor leading to antibiotics overuse, misuse and resistance. This study's objectives were to evaluate the knowledge and self-medication with antibiotics in a sample of the population of Lebanon.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study surveyed a sample of adults (over 18 years of age) residing in 2 major cities in Lebanon about their knowledge and self-medication with antibiotics. Health care professionals were excluded from the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred questionnaires were completed. Of the responders, 72% were between 18 and 45 years of age with an overall 86% having completed at least high school. For their knowledge about antibiotics, 61% thought that antibiotics should be taken for common cold and 83% knew that misuse of antibiotics could result in microbial resistance. Self-medication significantly correlated with a lower educational level (P = .036). Those with lower knowledge about antibiotics stopped antibiotics at the inappropriate time (P = .002). Socioeconomic status, gender and age did not correlate with self-medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-medication was associated with a person's educational level and knowledge of antibiotics. Awareness campaigns and enforcing medication dispensing laws are needed in to avoid self-medication with antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of medical sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon; Centre Hospitalier de Rambouillet, Rambouillet, France.
authors.forename: Antoun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jamhour
authors.affiliation: Faculty of medical sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon; Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bruxelles, Belgique.
authors.forename: Ammar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Kheir
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salameh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of medical sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Pierre Abi
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon. Electronic address: hanine.mansour@lau.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Hanine
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mansour
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002947:Cities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Antibiotic knowledge; Antibiotics; Education; Self-medication