Social determinants of self-medication with leftover antibiotics in Lebanese households: A cross-sectional study

Reve Khaddaj, Pascale Salameh, Amal Al-Hajje, Julia Bou Dib, Joumana Yeretezian, Michele Cherfane, Reham Kotb, Diana Nakhoul, Reem Awad and Katia Iskandar

PLOS ONE, 2025, vol. 20, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Background: Self-medication with leftover antibiotics (LA) is a global health crisis, particularly in contexts of economic and political instability. This study examines the social determinants of health (SDOH) influencing LA use among Lebanese households, focusing on how individuals are born, grow, live, and work. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 Lebanese adults to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, self-medication practices related to LA, and key SDOH such as socioeconomic status (SES), perceived discrimination in medical settings (DMS), political and economic instability, drug shortages, and trusted sources of health information. Data were analyzed using bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Bivariate analysis showed that LA use was significantly associated with male gender (45.0% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.024), lower educational levels (58.7% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.002), presence of chronic disease (54.7% vs. 32.2%, p

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0333377

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0333377

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