Understanding Antimicrobial Self-Medication Practices in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India

Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health concern, primarily driven by the irrational and excessive use of antimicrobials. Self-medication with antibiotics, often without a medical prescription, contributes significantly to the emergence of resistant bacteria strains. This study aims to assess the patterns of antimicrobial consumption and its role in the development of antibiotic resistance. Aim and objective The aim and objective of the study are to evaluate the prevalence, determinants, and associated factors of self-medication with antimicrobials in a rural area of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 437 participants in the community. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, self-medication patterns, and reasons for antimicrobial use were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US) to assess associations between self-medication and socio-demographic variables. Results The study found that 64.3% of participants self-medicated with antimicrobials, while 35.7% did not. The most common sources for determining the dosage included pharmacists (27.8%), hospital staff (21.7%), and personal experience (19.3%). A significant proportion (65.4%) altered the dosage during the course of treatment, primarily due to symptom improvement (53.4%) or lack of improvement (25.1%). A statistically significant association was observed between self-medication and age (p = 0.024), gender (p = 0.0095), religion (p = 0.00), and socio-economic status (p = 0.01). Conclusion High rates of self-medication with antimicrobials, coupled with inappropriate usage patterns, contribute to the increasing burden of antibiotic resistance. Strengthening public awareness, implementing stricter regulations on antimicrobial sales, and promoting rational prescribing practices are essential measures to combat AMR.