Antimicrobial resistance and rational use of medicine: knowledge, perceptions, and training of clinical health professions students in Uganda

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an important global health concern, projected to contribute to significant mortality, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, perceptions of clinical health professions students towards antimicrobial resistance and rational use of medicine and confidence level to prescribe antimicrobials. Methods: An online descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical health professions students across 9 medical schools in Uganda. A semi-structured questionnaire using Kobo Toolbox form was shared among participants via WhatsApp Messenger (Meta, California, USA). Knowledge was categorized using modified Bloom’s cut-off. One-way ANOVA, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression were used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We surveyed 681 participants, most were pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree (n=433, 63.6%), with a mean age of 24 (standard deviation: 3.6) years. Most participants (n=596, 87.5%) had sufficient knowledge about antimicrobial resistance with a mean score of 85 ± 14.2%. There was a significant difference in mean knowledge scores of year 4 (86.6%) compared to year 3 (82.4%) (p=0.002) and year 5 (88.0%) compared to year 3 (82.4%) (p<0.001). Most participants (n=456, 66.9%), were confident on making an accurate diagnosis of infection, and choosing the correct antimicrobial agent to use (n=484, 71.1%). Conclusion: Health profession students exhibited good knowledge on antimicrobial resistance and high self-perceived confidence on antimicrobial prescriptions however they still agreed that a separated course unit on AMR is necessary.

Benzimidazol‐1‐yl‐1‐phenylpropanone Analogs as Potent Antimicrobial Agents: Rational Design and Synthesis

“…The progression and development in the utility of the neoteric antibiotic agents has made out as the absolute necessity in the today's existing times owing to the surge in the resistance by human beings towards available pharmacological agents. [1] Bacterial and fungal manifestations are hazardous to many ancestors across the globe. Therefore, certain projects have been established and allocated for the fabrication of the novel antibiotic molecules to deescalate the developing resistance in the body due to the other available drug compounds.…”