A questionnaire based survey on knowledge, attitude and behaviour of antibiotic usage and resistance among undergraduates in South Indian teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance has become a global threat in the field of medicine. Multiple causes like antibiotic abuse, irrational usage of antibiotics, over the counter availability of antibiotics etc., have been put forth as culprit leading to antibiotic resistance. The present study aims at evaluating the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of antibiotic usage and resistance among undergraduates in South Indian teaching hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey conducted in undergraduate MBBS students including 5th to 9th semester at Department of Pharmacology. The questionnaire comprised off: Demographic data; Knowledge including 12 questions using Four-point likert scale; Attitude and behaviours consisting of 8 questions of Yes/No type. Data were analysed in the software SPSS version 24.0. Association among categorical variable were analysed with Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc Bonferroni test.Results: Among 455, 382 students completed the survey instrument and the response rate was 87%. Statistically significant (p=0.002) results have been obtained for the correct responses of knowledge questionnaire. The order of “good knowledge” about antibiotic usage and resistance according to semesters are graded as VIII>VI>V. Unfortunately, there were no significant results seen with attitude and behaviour.Conclusions: The study concluded that, though there was adequate theoretical knowledge among undergraduate students however they lack in their attitude and behaviour regarding antibiotic usage and resistance. Therefore, they need to improve their attitude and behaviour over antibiotic usage and resistance.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Antibiotic Use and Resistance among Medical and Sciences Students of International Islamic University Malaysia.

“…A study in southern India revealed that only a small group of students realised that antibiotics could cause secondary infections by killing good gut bacteria (6). Other studies reported that around 10% to 15% of the participants could not differentiate between antibiotics and other medications such as aspirin and paracetamol, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic drugs (6,7). However, the current study discovered that most participants could distinguish common antibiotics like penicillin and amoxicillin from other types of medications.…”

“…Regarding antibiotic side effects, 92.3% of the participants were unaware of antibiotics' side effects, such as disrupting the patient's normal microflora. A study in southern India revealed that only a small group of students realised that antibiotics could cause secondary infections by killing good gut bacteria (6). Other studies reported that around 10% to 15% of the participants could not differentiate between antibiotics and other medications such as aspirin and paracetamol, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic drugs (6,7).…”

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance among the Students of Private Universities in Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…This suggests a high expectation in regard to use vaccine that sparks our immune response and helping our body fights off and remember the germ so it can attack it if the germ ever invades again [30]. About 75% respondents answered that 'antibiotics should be used only prescribed by doctors', a comparable result to that found in a study conducted in South Indian teaching hospital (67%) [31]. In the current study most respondents (96.3%) intended to establish a course on "Rational use of antibiotics" at the university level.…”

“…With regard to practices towards antibiotic use, nearly half of respondents (48.3%) stated that "They don't stop the use of antibiotics as soon as they experience better' a lower percentage than was found in studies conducted in South Indian teaching hospital (53.4%) [31]. But in comparison with same studies conducted in South Indian teaching hospital [31, a higher percentage of practice was found regarding that 'They don't ask to the doctor to dispense antibiotics for common cold'.…”

The impact of antibiotic resistance training programs on knowledge, attitude, and practice reflection among Indian higher education students

“…In addition, ABR training activities should not be limited to the outreach of students. Investments should be allocated to develop awareness campaigns that educate society about the causes and consequences of drug resistance [15]. This investment could improve societal attitudes toward antibiotic consumption, especially in India, where most of the population is young.…”