Knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotic usage and resistance among the second year MBBS Students

Abstract

Background: Social aspect of antibiotic management forms a significant way to overcome the rapidly intensifying problem of antibiotic resistance. Knowledge helps in spreading awareness and understanding while attitude and practices influences health related behaviour. Medical students should not only be made aware of the current emerging health issues but also be directed towards rational antibiotics prescribing behaviour as future medical practitioners. Therefore, present study was undertaken to assess the existing knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) related to antibiotic usage and resistance among second year (fourth semester) MBBS students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire based study conducted in department of pharmacology of a government medical college in Kerala, India. Questionnaire was distributed among a batch of 120 second year MBBS students after one of the pharmacology lecture session. Attitude and Practices related questions were assessed using Likert scale. Data was entered in excel and analysed using descriptive statistics of SPSS to generate frequency and percentage. Results: 91.6% (110) were considered valid for analysis. Mean age was 21±1 years. Students had fair knowledge regarding antibiotics usage and resistance with mean correct response 79.72±25.37%. Mean correct responses of attitude and practices related questions were found to be 55.95±25.63% and 64±13.79% respectively. Conclusions: Most of the students were aware of the antibiotic resistance and its consequences. However, their attitude and practices were found to be a matter of great concern. An educational intervention can be introduced to bring about behaviour changes regarding rational antibiotics prescribing among them.