Knowledge and attitude towards antimicrobial resistance among final year undergraduate paramedical students at University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundGlobally, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex public problem, which is mainly fuelled by inappropriate use of antimicrobials. Rational use of antimicrobials is the main strategy for the prevention of AMR, which can be achieved by changing the prescribers’ behavior and knowledge. Hence, this study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude of paramedical students regarding antimicrobial resistance, which helps to rationalize the use of antimicrobials.MethodsAn institutional based cross-sectional study was performed on 323 graduates paramedical students at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. Participants were invited to complete a self-reported structured questionnaire on hard copy. The data were summarized using summary statistics such as the median. Furthermore, Kruskal Wallis test, at the level of significance of 0.05, was conducted to compare group difference.ResultsAmong 360 eligible paramedical students, 323 (90%) of them participated and most of them were males 202 (62.5%). Nearly 96% of the participants perceived that antimicrobial resistance is a catastrophic and preventable public problem but about half of the participants (55%) had a poor level of knowledge. It was also found that there was a statistically significant knowledge and attitude difference across the department (p-value< 0.0001) and (p = 0.002), respectively. Furthermore, those participants who had a good level of knowledge had greater attitude rank as compared to those who had a moderate and poor level of knowledge (p-value< 0.0001).ConclusionMajority of the participants viewed antimicrobial resistance as a preventable public problem if appropriate strategies are formulated. Nonetheless, most of them had a poor knowledge regarding antimicrobial resistance, and their knowledge and attitude significantly vary across their field of study. This result implicates that improving the students’ level of knowledge about antimicrobial resistance might be an approach to flourish their attitude and to rationalize their antimicrobial use.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-018-3199-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Knowledge of Antimicrobial Resistance among Veterinary Students and Their Personal Antibiotic Use Practices: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

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“…Some Australian veterinary students similarly opined that more education is needed in veterinary pharmacology [25]. Surveyed medical students in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States of America have also demonstrated the need for more education on AMR [29,[35][36][37][38][39]. Preliminary-level introduction and exposure to training on AMR in Nigerian veterinary schools at lower levels of training will improve students' appreciation and understanding of antibiotic use and AMR.…”

“…This instrument comprised questions on demographics, antibiotic usage, and knowledge, attitude, and awareness on antimicrobial resistance in humans and animals. We conducted a literature search [21,29,30] and developed a 72-item survey. The questionnaire comprised seven parts: questions on demographic information, personal antibiotic use, knowledge about antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in humans and animals, respondents' attitude, and awareness and contributory factors to antimicrobial resistance.…”

A cross-sectional research conducted in Malatya province, Turkey: Knowledge levels and awareness about rational antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance before and after graduation

“…The quality of a candidate physicians' pre-graduation training and the ability to apply this theoretical training in master-apprentice or individual practice might significantly affect the attitude and behavior when starting antibiotics. There are many factors which could influence doctors' decisions, leading them to breach the principles of a good clinical practice (15). For example, the fear of possible future complications in their patients, or a desire to fulfill patients' expectations.…”

Knowledge, perception and attitude of under-graduate and post-graduate medical students about antimicrobial use, resistance and stewardship at a tertiary care teaching hospital in rural Telangana, India

“…Globally, irrational use of antimicrobials is estimated to be 50%. 1 Awareness on seriousness of the resistance is initial measure towards confining its further progress. Prescribers play a prominent role in the prevention of resistance; by -rational prescribing, providing health education and also by promoting patient awareness pertaining to safe medication practices in the community with respect to antimicrobials.…”