Knowledge of Antimicrobial Resistance among Veterinary Students and Their Personal Antibiotic Use Practices: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

Ismail A Odetokun,Khalid T Biobaku,Nurudeen O Oloso,Nma B Alhaji,Folorunso O Fasina,Victoria O Adetunji,Asmau J Biobaku,Uduak Akpabio,Ibraheem Ghali-Mohammed

doi:10.3390/antibiotics8040243

Abstract

The challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is grave in developing countries. Antimicrobials are misused yet stakeholders’ contribution to antimicrobial stewardship is low. Veterinary students are future prescribers and their knowledge could influence progress in combating AMR; hence, there is a need to assess their knowledge, attitude, and awareness of AMR. A multi-institutional questionnaire was administered to undergraduates in Nigerian veterinary schools. It comprised demographics, own personal antibiotic usage, and knowledge, attitude, and awareness of AMR in humans and animals. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for analyses. Of the 426 respondents, 39.2% reported personal antimicrobial use in the previous six months. Over 60% received knowledge scores lower than average and >87% requested more education on clinical use and prescriptions pre-graduation, monitored dispensing of antimicrobials, conducting AMR research, and confirmed link among human, animal, and environmental health. Less than 25% of respondents were aware of antimicrobial stewardship and global efforts/organizations for AMR. Final year students have 9-fold and 14-fold more satisfactory knowledge on antimicrobials in humans and animals compared with other students, respectively (p = 0.001). Final year students also have more knowledge (13×) and awareness of contributory factors (3×) on AMR (p = 0.001) than other students. Unsatisfactory knowledge on AMR issues exists among veterinary students yet willingness to improve was observed. Identified knowledge, attitude, and gaps in AMR awareness should be targeted by veterinary schools in Nigeria.

Highlights

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex public, animal, and environmental health problem, primarily fueled by inappropriate use of antimicrobials
Undergraduate veterinary students from UNIMAID (OR: 0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.93; p = 0. 043) and UNIABUJA (OR: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.39; p < 0.001) were two times and 11 times less likely to possess satisfactory knowledge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) than students in other universities in Nigeria
Whereas veterinary students demonstrated good personal use of antibiotics, the majority had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge of AMR

Summary

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex public, animal, and environmental health problem, primarily fueled by inappropriate use of antimicrobials. Nigeria, greater emphasis on AMR control has been placed on incidences in humans, with almost inexistent attention paid to animals (livestock, wildlife, and poultry industry as well as in veterinary clinical practices) until recently [3]. Discrepancies exist and the level of attention paid to the issue of AMR among the public, animal, and environmental health sectors differ. There is a need to understand the current knowledge and propose means to bridge the existing gap on the trend, status, and situation of AMR arising primarily from food animals and the environment [8,9]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion