Self-medication with oral antibiotics among University students in United Arab Emirates

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of antibiotic use without prescriptions and to identify factors associated with this behavior among university students using oral non-prescription drugs (ONPD).
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted major universities in UAE. multistage sampling technique used present study.
 Results: Out 2875 students, only 2355 (81.9 %) questionnaire were fully answered included. Of 2355, more than half (1348; 57.2 participants reported ONPD. More one-third (484, 35.9 1348 antibiotics a prescription during 90 days prior study. Binary logistic regression identified nine statistically significant variables: nationality (OR = 0.471, 95 % CI: 0.326 - 0.681, p < 0.001); cost-influence 1.716, 1.175 2.508, 0.005); belief ONPD effectiveness 0.332, 0 .135 0.815, 0.05); year 0.310, %, 0.141 0.004); medication knowledge 0.619, 0.443 0.866, self-care orientation (OR=1.878, 1.304 2.706, helps save money (OR=1.665, 1.047-2.649, p<0.04); urgency 1.644, 1.144 2.363, 0.007); as well being healthcare 1.465, 1.012 2.120, 0.05).
 Conclusion: There is need for educational intervention improve students’ knowledge, attitude, awareness regarding risk prescriptions.