Abstract
BackgroundThe emergence and spread of pathogenic bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics has become a major public health concern. The incorrect prescription, inappropriate consumption and excess use of antimicrobial drugs, specifically antibiotics, are possibly the main factors contributing to the widespread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards the use of antibiotics as well as their resistance among Lebanese university students in health and non-health related majors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2019 in Beirut (Lebanon) in which 750 students completed a questionnaire made up of four dimensions: Socio-demographic characteristics, 3 questions; assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices, 7, 10 and 1 question, respectively. The data was collected in spreadsheets and analysed with descriptive statistics. The difference in mean scores in each of the knowledge, attitude and practices dimensions between health and non-health related major students was analysed using t-student tests and the difference in percentages using chi-square tests.ResultsAlmost 78% of respondents from the health related majors scored high knowledge compared to only 41% of non-health related majors (mean = 4.26; standard error = 0.05 versus mean = 3.41; standard error = 0.13, respectively). The attitude score of the health related major students (35.42%) was positive and more satisfactory compared to the non-health related students (7.32%); (mean = 9.34; standard error = 0.05 versus mean = 9.10; standard error = 0.21, respectively). However, the difference in the scores of attitudes was not statistically significant.ConclusionsInterventions to promote awareness in this area should focus more students in on non-health related majors.
Highlights
The emergence and spread of pathogenic bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics has become a major public health concern
Students in health related majors had better knowledge in almost all the questions related to knowledge; and, had more informed attitude towards dealing with the problem of antibiotic resistance
This study addressed KAP about use of antibiotics and Antibiotic resistance (AR) among students enrolled in a large private university in Lebanon
Summary
The emergence and spread of pathogenic bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics has become a major public health concern. Self-medication, incorrect prescription, inappropriate consumption and excessive use of these antimicrobial drugs could be the key factors for the increase and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in addition to other important social and cultural factors [2,3,4,5] This increase in antibiotic resistance will eventually diminish their therapeutic effectiveness and increase treatment failures leading to more severe illnesses with higher mortality rates [6]. Numerous studies have reported improper antibiotic use among university students due to self-medication and lack of adequate knowledge of antibacterial agents Their indications, their specificity to pathogens and the compliance to dosage regiments [9]
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