Prevalence and risk factors of self-medication with antibiotics in the general population of Tehran—a population-based study

This study highlights the prevalence (21.3%) and key determinants of self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) in southern Tehran, a region often underrepresented in national AMR data. Through a 2023 telephone survey of 1,311 adults, the research found that higher education, higher socioeconomic status, basic insurance, and a history of uncomplicated COVID-19 infection were significantly associated with increased SMA, while a healthy lifestyle and good mental health were linked to lower rates. The findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions focusing on mental health, health literacy, and stricter antibiotic regulations, while also emphasizing the importance of local data in shaping national AMR policies.