Self-Medication Experience and Healthcare Trust Among Youth: A Regionally Concentrated Digital Survey in Indonesia

Self-medication has become a central experience for youth transitioning toward independent medical decision-making. In the digital era, young people must navigate a complex landscape of health information while seeking independent health solutions. This study investigates self-medication experiences and healthcare trust among youth, utilizing a regionally concentrated digital survey approach in Indonesia. Data were collected via a cross-sectional approach using digital platforms (Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X), facilitated by 76 trained enumerators. While respondents from all 38 provinces participated, the sample (N = 2,790) exhibits a major geographical concentration in the Sumatra region. The study employed a validated 16-item instrument to evaluate health-seeking behaviors, following a 100-participant comprehensibility pilot study. Among the total respondents, 2,168 (77.71%) reported active self-medication experiences (mean age 20.05 ± 1.97 years; 71.61% female). These independent choices were primarily driven by perceived mild symptoms (84.59%) and prominent operational barriers at primary health centers, specifically long waiting times (35.65%), driving them toward the convenience of independent health management. Notably, among the self-medicating subsample (n = 2,168), 51.75% (n = 1,122) utilized non-prescription antibiotics, representing 40.21% of the total sample. In navigating self-medication, respondents relied on drug packaging labels (71.22%) and pharmacist advice (46.96%), with drowsiness being the most frequent adverse reaction (38.42%). Ultimately, a fundamental erosion of trust in formal healthcare, coupled with the convenience of independent decision-making, drives this cohort to pursue self-medication. This trend requires urgent interventions to rebuild clinical trust, as high non-prescription antibiotic use directly amplifies the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.