Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Antibiotic Use among Non-medical Students at Wasit University, Iraq
No Thumbnail Available
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Univer Publ
Abstract
Description
Background: Antibiotic misunderstandings are caused by a lack of antibiotic knowledge. This may contribute to the inappropriate use of antibiotics in the community, which is the leading cause of antibiotic resistance.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of non-medical students at Wasit University, Iraq, regarding antibiotic usage.
Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional questionnaire survey conducted from October to December 2022 among non-medical college students at Wasit University, Iraq. A total of 400 samples were selected using the convenience sampling method.
Results:
71.75% of the students had poor knowledge regarding antibiotic use. Respondents who knew that the antibiotics were indicated to treat bacterial infections made up 41% of the sample, although 88% of respondents still believed that antibiotics could be used to treat viral infections. 73% of respondents appeared to be aware that antibiotics may trigger allergic responses, and 48% had no idea antibiotics may possibly cause side effects. In terms of antibiotic resistance, 58% of respondents were aware that overuse of antibiotics could cause antibiotic resistance. There was a a strong association between those who expected an antibiotic prescription for a common cold and those who believed antibiotics were effective in treating coughs and colds (p<0.001).Regarding attitudes, less than half of respondents (45.3%) had a positive attitude towards antibiotics. Approximately half of the responders (53%) would discontinue an antibiotic course once their symptoms improved. Meanwhile, antibiotics were shared by 48% of respondents with family members, and 55% would keep antibiotics at home for emergency usage. There was a a strong association (p<0.001) between the respondents who stop taking antibiotics when they feel better and those who believe "antibiotics are the same as drugs used to treat pain and fever.
Conclusion
The majority of the colleges’ students have misconceptions, including believing that antibiotics are effective in treating the common cold despite being unaware of antibiotic efficacy and resistance. Additionally, many of the respondents also had negative attitudes concerning antibiotic use.
Keywords
knowledge, attitude, antibiotic misuse, resistance, Wasit University