Abstract
The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary study to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) associated with antibiotic use among medical students (MS) and non-medical students (NMS) at Kathmandu University, Nepal. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 1223 students for a cross-sectional study. In total, 1222 questionnaires collected from 609 MS and 613 NMS were regarded as effective. A t-test and Chi-square test were applied to analyze the data. A total of 25 out of 39 questions in the KAP survey were found to have statistical significance. The MS showed higher levels of knowledge/attitude/practice associated with antibiotic use than the NMS. Significant gaps were found in and between the MS and NMS in the first and final years of study. Interventions, such as lectures, courses, workshops, and seminars on antibiotic use, along with internet and media campaigns, etc., are needed to improve the awareness and change the behavior of both the MS and the NMS of universities with regards to the rational use of antibiotics.
Highlights
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently a hot debate
We found that the medical students (MS) showed higher levels of knowledge/attitude/practice associated with antibiotic use than the non-medical students (NMS) in general
The students, either classified by MS and NMS, or by the first-year and last-year students, all showed a low level of knowledge, which may impact their attitude toward antibiotic use
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently a hot debate. Its hazards have been underestimated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [1,2]. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes AMR as a major global health problem that threatens our ability to treat diseases and requires urgent action [3]. The overuse, underuse, and misuse of antibiotics result in antimicrobial resistance problems worldwide [4]. A review on antimicrobial resistance produced in 2014 estimated that the year’s annual mortality attributable to AMR was 700,000, and that the number may rise to 10 million by 2050 if no actions are taken to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics [5]. It has been found that taking an inappropriate dosage of antibiotics can result in the development of resistant bacteria and diminish the ability of the oral flora to resist the colonization of harmful micro-organisms, thereby leading to super infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria [6,7].
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