Knowledge and Attitude Towards Antibiotic Usage: A Questionnaire-Based Survey Among Pre-Professional Students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences on Jeddah Campus, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Knowledge and attitudes towards proper antibiotic usage among students in medical and other health allied fields play a vital role in limiting the pandemic of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes toward antibiotic usage among pre-professional students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences on Jeddah Campus, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A self-administered cross-sectional survey of 347 first year students was conducted at the College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences using a validated questionnaire. Results: Nearly 63% of the students had a moderate level of knowledge. Two third of the students (69.7%) correctly knew that antibiotics are indicated for the treatment of bacterial infections. However, about 36% of the students incorrectly thought that antibiotics are also used to treat viral infections, while 28.5% were not sure. Only 38.8% of the students were aware of antibiotic resistance phenomena in relation to the overuse of antibiotics. Furthermore, only 27.3% correctly knew that penicillin is an antibiotic, and 74.4% were not sure if Paracetamol is an antibiotic. With regard to attitudes, 25.7% believed that taking antibiotics when having cold symptoms could help them to recover faster, while 39.6% expected antibiotics to be prescribed for common cold symptoms. Conclusion: The students have misconception regarding antibiotic use indications. Therefore, awareness campaigns are needed to promote student’s use of antibiotics in young generations particularly among the pre-professional health sciences students.

Understanding of Pharmacy Students towards Antibiotic Use, Antibiotic Resistance and Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study from Punjab, Pakistan

“…Nearly half of our survey respondents (46.6%) agreed that influenza could be treated with antibiotics. The current research is in concordance with a study conducted in Saudi-Arabia, which reported that more than one-fourth of respondents (medical students) wrongly perceived that antibiotics are useful against viral infections [ 27 ]. Unfortunately, the use of antibiotics in viral diseases such as influenza is widespread in the community and hospitals [ 28 ], which could be due to a lack of optimum antibiotic-related knowledge among healthcare workers and the public [ 29 , 30 ].…”

Knowledge, Beliefs and Habits of Serbian University Students Regarding Usage of Antibiotics – A Cross-Sectional Study of Biomedical and Non-Biomedical Students

“…These differences can undoubtedly be explained by the fact that students of biomedical sciences have much more theoretical knowledge on the subject than ones from the other faculties. Compared to a study done in Saudi Arabia [21], students from Serbia from both groups have been more successful in identifying drugs. In Saudi Arabia, as much as 74% have not been sure about the nature of Paracetamol.…”

“…Besides, a multitude of studies conducted in Asia has reported much larger percentages of students of medicine or pharmacology employing antibiotics in this fashion. These include Saudi Arabia (64.2%) [21], Qatar (62%) [22], and Sri Lanka (57%) [23]. This shows that biomedical students from Nis University have a better perception of the subject.…”

University Students’ Antibiotic Use and Knowledge of Antimicrobial Resistance: What Are the Common Myths?

“…Those who did not obtain advice are more likely to stop taking antibiotics when they feel better, which eventually leads to the growth of resistance in the community. Respondents also reported obtaining antibiotics from the previous use, but the rate was lower than in the previous studies in Malaysia (46/204), Qatar (161/596), China (1,965/11,192), and Saudi Arabia (165/347) [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. There were more female students than male in this study, which is comparable to many other studies [ 8 , 25 , 29 ].…”

“…Multiple studies have been conducted regarding the knowledge of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance among university students in other countries [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. A study among undergraduate students in Sri Lanka revealed that senior students had good knowledge of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance, although some had misconceptions about antibiotic use for viral illnesses [ 26 ].…”