Omani senior secondary school students' knowledge of and attitudes to antibiotic resistance.

Abdullah Ambusaidi,Subhashni Taylor,Nadya Rizk,Frances Quinn,Neil Taylor

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0264500

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem that is increasing largely due to the misuse of antibiotics in human health and agriculture. This situation is further exacerbated by a dearth of new antibiotic development, the focus of pharmaceutical companies having shifted to more lucrative treatments for chronic conditions such as elevated blood pressure. To conserve the efficacy of the current crop of antibiotics, it is vital that they are used appropriately by individuals. Effective education may be a means to achieve such appropriate use. This paper reports on a large-scale, mixed methods study, which employed a survey and oral questionnaires, undertaken with senior secondary Omani students. The study explored students’ understanding of antibiotic resistance as well as their attitudes to the issue of antibiotic resistance. The study findings indicated that, although some students had a reasonably clear understanding of antibiotic resistance, many had serious misconceptions that could result in misuse of antibiotics. The article concludes with suggestions for amending secondary school pedagogy in Oman to address the misconceptions.

Highlights

In August 2019, the chief medical adviser to the UK Government stated that antibiotic resistance endangers at least 10 million people every year and could kill us before climate change does [1]
Yes Reason Because the treatment will become more difficult/ body will not cure Because the antibiotics will become ineffective Because the strength of the bacteria will increase Because we will require a new stronger antibiotic Because the body will no longer accept the antibiotic Because antibiotics can be harmful and have side effects Because it reduces the body’s immunity Because it has negative side effects on and can harm the body Because the enemy become non-effective Because it can cause other diseases
Most agreed to some extent that antibiotic resistance could impact their own health or that of their family, while just over half the sample considered that they could not do much to stop the problem of antibiotic resistance

Summary

Introduction

In August 2019, the chief medical adviser to the UK Government stated that antibiotic resistance endangers at least 10 million people every year and could kill us before climate change does [1]. Such resistance is caused by the misuse of antibiotics in humans and other animals and could render the drugs ineffective. This article reports on a study that examined the understanding and attitudes towards antibiotic resistance amongst a cohort (n = 952) of senior secondary students in the Sultanate of Oman.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion