The use of antibiotics in the management of acute upper respiratory tract infections by final year medical students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Abstract

Widespread and inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents for viral illnesses has contributed to the emergence of infections caused by antimicrobial drug resistant organisms. The aim of the study was to determine how final year medical students of nnamdi azikiwe university would manage the common cold or upper respiratory tract infection when they become medical doctors. Seventy-one students were interviewed using both questionnaire and oral interview. Majority of the students about 88% identified the common could as upper respiratory tract infection. Sixty-eight of them (95.8%) responded that they would commence antibiotic treatment if there were purulent nasal discharge and productive cough. The reasons for commencement of antibiotics were to prevent bacterial super infection, pressure from patient and the claim that it is evidence based. Knowledge of the common cold as an upper respiratory tract infection is quite high but there is the bad attitude of using antibiotics n the management. There is therefore need for education of the medical students as well as doctors on the consequences of inappropriate antibiotic use especially in the management of the common cold. Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 22-26