Antibiotic Overuse and Resistance: An Awareness Study

Abstract

Antibiotics, first-line treatment for microbes-induced illnesses, indiscriminate use of which has led to increased resistance problems. Pharmacy students who are directly involved in drug distribution system should have sound knowledge about antibiotics and their resistance. The primary objective of this study was to assess awareness on antibiotics and its resistance in pharma students. The study was carried out in November 2017. Questionnaire was prepared, validated, and filled by students. Knowledge and attitude towards antibiotic use and their resistance was studied. First year and final year B. Pharm students were the study participants. Intra-college data comparison was done with first year and final year students from one college, and inter-college comparison was done between final year students from five colleges in Pune. Data was collected and analysed for statistical significance using GraphPad Prism-7. The study revealed that knowledge of antibiotics and its resistance is better in the final year students as compared to first year. Also, the inter-college data showed that college A has better knowledge than the other colleges. However, results were not satisfactory. Pharma students, who may play an important role in treatment of microbial illnesses, do not have accurate knowledge about antibiotic use and its resistance. Appropriate knowledge can help them preventing emergence of resistance. Hence, special sessions on antibiotics use and resistance should be conducted in pharma colleges for lowering resistance risk.