Innovative Approaches in Health Science Journal
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Innovative Approaches in Health Science Journal

Antibiotic Self-Medication Behavior at Waras Lestari Pharmacy

Wibowo, Kevin Rachmalia (Unknown)
Peristiowati, Yuly (Unknown)
Agustin Widyowari (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
02 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background: The use of antibiotics without a doctor's prescription is a widespread phenomenon in communities around the world, including in Indonesia. According to data from Waras Lestari Pharmacy, 253 patients self-medicated with antibiotics. Preliminary interviews revealed that people tend to self-medicate based on previous experiences and recommendations from friends or family. Healthcare workers, particularly pharmacists, have a critical role to take firm action against selling antibiotics without a prescription and to provide appropriate treatment advice to address patient complaints. This prompted researchers to conduct a study on antibiotic self-medicating behavior at Waras Lestari Pharmacy in Kediri City. Methods: The approach used in this research uses a qualitative approach. The informants in this study were patients who purchased antibiotics without a prescription at Waras Lestari Pharmacy in Kediri City. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. Data collection from informants by means of interviews. Results: In this study, all informants self-medicated with antibiotics without a doctor's prescription at the Waras Lestari Pharmacy in Kediri City. Predisposing factors, such as perceptions and beliefs, significantly influenced self-medicating. Enabling factors, such as the availability of readily accessible antibiotics in pharmacies without strict supervision, were the main factors driving self-medicating behavior. Reinforcing factors: Previous personal experience was the dominant reinforcing factor. Informants tended to purchase the same antibiotics that doctors had prescribed for similar complaints in the past, confident in their effectiveness. Conclusion: Overall, antibiotic self-medication behavior at Waras Lestari Pharmacy in Kediri City remained high, with various predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors contributing. This study also found gaps in the oversight of antibiotic self-medication practices, both in terms of regulation and education, which is an important finding for improving the pharmaceutical care system in the community.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

IAHSJ

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health Other

Description

"Innovative Approaches in Health Science Journal" focuses on innovative approaches in health sciences. This journal is committed to presenting the latest research and scientific contributions that discuss new methods, techniques or approaches that can increase understanding and improvement in ...