Self-medication with antibiotics in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Objective This review sought to assess the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication, common antibiotics and reasons for self-medication in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of World Health Organization (EMRWHO).Results We report on data from 45 articles and 29606 participants in this review. The overall prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in EMRWHO was 49.7% (95% CI 49.2% – 50.2%). Yemen has the highest rate with a rate of 69.6% (95% CI 68.1% - 71.1%), whilst Kuwait has the lowest rate with a prevalence of 27.5%. The most common illnesses implicated in antibiotic self-medication were upper-respiratory infections and the most common antibiotic was Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid. The commonest reasons for antibiotic self-medication include: saving time and money. Pharmacies pointed out as a most common source of obtaining antibiotics for self-medication.