Knowledge and Awareness of Antibiotics among University Students and General Population in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance is major problem of global health. The reason behind it is inadequate knowledge, low socioeconomic status, self-medication and misuse/irrational use of antibiotics. This study aim was to assess the knowledge and awareness of antibiotics among university students & general population. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried in Khyber Medical University in six months. University students and general population were recruited in the study. While children and other non-medical students were excluded. A total of 384 participants were included and data were collected through designed electronic questionnaire. Data were analyzed through SPSS-22. Results: A total 384 participants were included in which 258 responses were considered. Out of 258, 136 respondents were university students and 122 respondents were general population of Peshawar. Students and general population were know about the antibiotics with 91.2% and 76.2% respectively. Self medication were found 20.6% among students and 14.8% among general population. Antimicrobial testing was used in 38.5% and 44.9% in general population and students respectively. Antibiotics were stop before antibiotic course completion were 30.3% among general population and students (25%). Knowledge of antibiotics resistance were 31.1% to general population and students (19.9%). Conclusion: Knowledge & awareness of antibiotics among university students was greater than general population, however self prescription was slightly high in university students despite of their high knowledge & awareness of the side effects of antibiotics. Future research should concentrate on individual-level characteristics such as doctor-patient interactions and patient satisfaction to better understand the causes of antibiotic self-medication.