ArticleBMC public health2025
Prevalence and predictors of self-medication with antibiotics among adults in Santo Domingo and the National District, Dominican Republic: an online cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundAntibiotic self-medication significantly contributes to increasing antimicrobial resistance, a critical public health challenge that is particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries. While antibiotic stewardship initiatives primarily target healthcare facilities, community-level antibiotic usage and pharmacy dispensing practices often lack adequate regulation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and identify sociodemographic factors associated with antibiotic self-medication among adults in Santo Domingo and the National District of the Dominican Republic.
methodsA cross-sectional study employing a convenience sampling approach was conducted in October 2024. Data were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire distributed to participants residing in Santo Domingo and the National District. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were applied to investigate the associations between sociodemographic variables and antibiotic self-medication behaviors.
resultsOf the 687 participants surveyed, 14.6% (n = 100) reported engaging in antibiotic self-medication within the preceding 12 months. Amoxicillin was the most frequently self-administered antibiotic (69%), primarily obtained from pharmacies (98%). The principal motivation for self-medication was convenience (56%). The most common symptoms prompting antibiotic use were sore throat (55%) and nasal congestion (23%). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that, compared to participants who did not use antibiotics, those in the low-middle-income (OR: 4.30; p < 0.001) and middle-income (OR: 2.59; p = 0.026) groups had significantly higher odds of self-medicating. Furthermore, compared to participants who obtained antibiotics via a doctor’s prescription, those in the low-middle-income group also had increased odds of self-medication (OR: 2.39; p = 0.042).
conclusionsThese findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to mitigate antibiotic misuse. Public awareness campaigns, particularly within pharmacies and community centers, should emphasize the inherent risks associated with self-medication. Enforcing prescription-only regulations for antibiotic sales within the Dominican Republic is imperative to curtail unregulated access and foster responsible antibiotic consumption practices.
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