Antibiotic self-medication among healthcare students in Pakistan: A dual-center cross-sectional study.

This article focuses on the prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of antibiotic self-medication (SMA) among undergraduate healthcare students in Pakistan. A cross-sectional study involving 1,340 students from medical, dental, nursing, and physical therapy programs found that 68.8% engaged in SMA, primarily using broad-spectrum antibiotics like Amoxicillin and Azithromycin for convenience and respiratory symptoms. Despite 63.3% demonstrating adequate knowledge about antibiotics, over half exhibited negative attitudes toward self-medication, revealing a significant knowledge-practice gap. The findings underscore the need for enhanced educational interventions and stricter regulatory measures to curb inappropriate antibiotic use among future healthcare professionals, addressing both public health concerns and occupational safety.