A study on the Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Antibiotic Utilization among Pharmacy Students

Abstract

Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards the antibiotics utilization among the pharmacy students. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted among the pharmacy students by using the KAP questionnaire which was circulated by means of Google form to various Pharmacy colleges located in Andhra Pradesh, India. Students from pharmacy colleges with both the gender of all age groups were included. Students who were studying the first and second years of B.Pharm & Pharm.D and students other than the pharmacy field were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 256 pharmacy students were participated in the study and among them 73 (28.5%) were found to be males and 183 (71.5%) were found to be females. Among the 256 study participants 90 (35.1%) were having good knowledge towards the antibiotics utilization, 88 (34.4%) were having moderate knowledge towards the antibiotic utilization and the remaining 78 (30.5%) were having poor knowledge towards antibiotic utilization. Most of the study participants were having good knowledge (35.1%) followed by moderate knowledge (34.4%). About 147 (57.4%) study participants thought that antibiotics should be prescribed only after culture and sensitivity report, 208 (81.2%) study participants thought that antibiotic resistance is a serious global health issue and 213 (83.2%) study participants thought that abuse of antibiotics has become the main cause leading to bacterial resistance. About 202 (78.9%) study participants used to consult a doctor before starting antibiotics, 196 (76.6%) study participants used to take the full course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor and 157 (61.3%) study participants used to stop taking antibiotics when started feeling better. Conclusion: Pharmacy students should have good knowledge, attitude and practice towards the antibiotic utilization as they are directly or indirectly involving in the patient care where the rational usage of the antibiotics is mandatory to deal with the serious global health issue like the antibiotic resistance.