Antibiotics And Antibiotic Resistance – Analysis Of Awareness Of Students

Abstract

Introduction: Antibiotics are some of the most precious achievements in medicine. Nowadays there is the danger of losing their activity due to the increase of antibiotic resistance (AR). In relation to November 18 – European Antibiotic Awareness Day, we at Medical College “Y. Philaretova” developed an educational poster, using materials of the British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. After introducing the poster, we conducted a questionnaire research among students in specialty “Medical Laboratory Technician”. Aim : The aim of the current work is to analyze the awareness of students about this problem. Material s and Methods: The questionnaire forms consisted of 11 questions of 3 to 5 multiple choice answers. They were spread for voluntary and anonymous filling out. Statistic processing by Excel and determining of relative share were applied in the analysis of results. Results: A total of 77 out of the 85 questionnaire forms were filled out, which marks an activity of 87.5%. Excellent answers were obtained for the questions concerning the causes and consequences of development of AR – relative share between 71% and 100%. Lower success rate - 43-95 %, showed the questions about mechanisms and epidemiology of AR. Unsatisfactory were the answers of the questions concerning the significance of antibiotics for the current achievements in medicine and in case of inability to limit AR – 11% and 56%, respectively. Conclusion: The students demonstrated relatively good level of knowledge about AR (apparently helped by the developed poster). Much more knowledge on antibiotics and AR is needed by future medical specialists, including for multidisciplinary training and improvement of the educational programs.