What is it about?
Antibiotic leftovers are a growing concern in Lebanon, where many people reuse or share unfinished medications. This behaviour was previously underexplored in terms of its social drivers. For the first time, our study identified key social determinants—such as healthcare access, economic constraints, and cultural practices—that influence leftover antibiotic use among the Lebanese population.
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Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Leftover antibiotic use is an important issue because it contributes to self-medication and misuse, which in turn fuel antimicrobial resistance (AMR)—one of the most pressing global health threats. Beyond the individual risks of reduced treatment effectiveness and potential complications, this behaviour also increases the burden on healthcare systems. In Lebanon, the problem is further amplified by economic hardship, limited access to healthcare, and cultural practices that normalize storing and reusing antibiotics. Understanding the social determinants behind this behaviour is therefore essential, as it provides evidence to shape targeted public health campaigns, regulations, and interventions aimed at reducing misuse and protecting both individual and community health.
Perspectives
I found this topic important because leftover antibiotic use is not just a medical issue but also a deeply social one. In Lebanon, I have seen how economic difficulties, limited access to healthcare, and cultural habits often push people to keep and reuse antibiotics. While this might seem practical in the short term, it carries serious risks—fuelling antimicrobial resistance, reducing treatment effectiveness, and putting extra pressure on our healthcare system. By exploring the social determinants behind this behaviour, I wanted my research to go beyond identifying the problem and contribute to shaping solutions that are realistic, culturally sensitive, and impactful for public health in Lebanon.
Reve Khaddaj
Lebanese University - Faculty of Pharmacy
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Social determinants of self-medication with leftover antibiotics in Lebanese households: A cross-sectional study, PLOS One, September 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0333377.
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