The Influence of Psychographic Characteristics on Antibiotics Utilization Among Out-Patients

Abstract

Antibiotic misuse remains a persistent public health concern, particularly in outpatient settings where self‑medication, incomplete treatment, and inconsistent follow‑up behaviors contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Understanding the behavioral, demographic, and contextual factors influencing antibiotic utilization is essential for strengthening stewardship efforts. This study aimed to examine the extent of responsible antibiotic use across pre‑intake, intake, and post‑treatment stages and to determine the demographic and psychographic predictors of these behaviors. It also sought to complement quantitative findings with qualitative insights to better understand the motivations and barriers shaping outpatient practices. A descriptive‑correlational design was employed, involving 159 outpatients who completed validated questionnaire measuring knowledge, attitudes, and antibiotic utilization behaviors. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation matrix, while qualitative responses from open‑ended items were thematically analyzed to contextualize behavioral patterns. Results showed very high levels of responsible antibiotic behavior across all stages, with mean scores ranging from 3.19 to 3.77. Age and educational attainment significantly predicted pre‑intake behaviors (p < .05), while attitudes significantly predicted adherence during intake (p < .05). No demographic or psychographic variables significantly predicted post‑treatment behaviors. Qualitative findings explained these patterns: patients described trust in doctors, fear of complications, and desire for recovery as key motivators during treatment, while logistical barriers, lack of reminders, and uncertainty about proper disposal shaped post‑treatment practices. These integrated findings suggest that early and mid‑treatment behaviors are driven by individual capability and motivation, whereas post‑treatment behaviors depend more on structural and contextual supports. The study concludes that while outpatients generally demonstrate strong antibiotic stewardship behaviors, sustaining responsible practices after treatment requires system‑level reinforcement. Strengthening patient counseling, improving follow‑up mechanisms, and establishing accessible disposal programs are essential to support consistent, responsible antibiotic use and mitigate the risk of antimicrobial resistance.