The findings in Table 2 indicate that the majority of university students demonstrated sufficient knowledge (59.1%), positive attitude (60.0%), and appropriate practice (60.6%) regarding antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward AR among non-medical university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and identify factors that influence antibiotic use. Association between sociodemographic characteristics and sufficient knowledge, attitude, and practice of antibiotics among university students.
Some questions reflected tendencies toward misuse, such as believing antibiotics should be accessible without a prescription, sharing them with family members without medical consultation, or using them to prevent the worsening of illness. All non-medical students in any public or private university in Riyadh, regardless of their nationalities, genders, or fields of study, were included, whereas visiting students or medical students were excluded from the study. A cross-sectional design was used to measure the level of awareness of antibiotic misuse that leads to AR among students in public and private universities of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, due to limited antibiotic education, non-medical students frequently misuse antibiotics—taking them without prescriptions, using leftover medication, sharing antibiotics, or discontinuing treatment early. For example, while many refrain from sharing leftover antibiotics—considered a positive behavior—negative attitudes toward antibiotic use persist.
2. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Antibiotic Resistance
Among Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 32% were methicillin-resistant (MRSA), while Streptococcus pneumoniae demonstrated penicillin G resistance (33%) and erythromycin resistance (26%) .
3.4. Data Presentation and Analysis
- This comprehensive strategy aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Action Plan and focuses on multi-sectoral collaboration, evidence-based interventions, and enhancing awareness of AMR among both the public and healthcare professionals 6,7.
- Copyrights and related rights for article metadata waived via CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0) Public Domain Dedication.
- Some questions reflected tendencies toward misuse, such as believing antibiotics should be accessible without a prescription, sharing them with family members without medical consultation, or using them to prevent the worsening of illness.
- Students may lack awareness of pharmacists’ expertise, highlighting an opportunity to diversify accessible, trusted healthcare sources for public education.
- This disparity aligns with the observation that science and engineering students, benefiting from biology/microbiology-rich curricula and practical lab work, demonstrate enhanced antibiotic understanding and practices, thus contributing to improved public health literacy.
- This course could cover resistance mechanisms, global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trends, and ethical considerations in engineering contexts (e.g., pharmaceutical waste management).
The effective sample size calculated was 334; however, a larger sample size of 501 students was eventually included in the study, yielding approximately 1.5 times the initial sample size projection (1.5 design effect). Verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants, detailing the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits. These deficiencies in health literacy and antibiotic education underscore the urgent need for targeted educational interventions .
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of antibiotic use among students in a Ghanaian tertiary institution
Females had 65.8% higher odds of demonstrating a positive attitude toward AR prevention, compared to males, and 52% higher odds of adopting appropriate practices than males. Abstract Introduction Antibiotic misuse is a growing global concern as it exacerbates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and in Ghana, antibiotic misuse persists. The focus on non-medical students addressed literature gaps, while standardized, WHO-aligned questions minimized variability and improved global comparability. Students in science and engineering disciplines demonstrated stronger knowledge and more responsible practices than peers in other fields, underscoring the influence of scientific training in curricula.
- By evaluating these factors, the findings can inform targeted educational interventions to promote responsible antibiotic practices, align with national antimicrobial stewardship goals, and mitigate AR spread.
- Studies exploring self-medication, antibiotic sharing, and misconceptions among students are scarce, all of which contribute to antimicrobial resistance .
- This in-person approach ensured direct participant engagement, comprehensive responses, and efficient data collection.
- In terms of university affiliation, IMSU had the highest representation, with 54.0% of participants.
- Including non-medical university students in this study is critical due to their heightened risk of antibiotic misuse, lack of formal medical training to guide appropriate use, and potential influence on public health behaviors.
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article. (Abdulmohsen Alhussain) analyzed the data and concluded. (Abdulmohsen Alhussain)) contributed to gathering and organizing the data.
2. Study Design and Settings
A national study on Gram-positive bacteria in Saudi Arabia revealed alarming resistance trends. The NAP is structured around five sub-committees dedicated to raising awareness, monitoring resistance patterns, strengthening infection control, optimizing antibiotic use, and advancing research. This comprehensive strategy aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Action Plan and focuses on multi-sectoral collaboration, evidence-based interventions, and enhancing awareness of AMR among both the public and healthcare professionals 6,7. The primary source of information on antibiotics was healthcare professionals, particularly doctors.
Combining prevention and response interventions is essential for effective control in healthcare settings . Family/siblings or friends provided information for 7.0% (47 participants), while social media was a source for 6.8% (46 participants). Pharmacists were the second-most common source, consulted by 9.4% (63 participants). The mean knowledge score related to AR was 63.97 ≈ 64 (±8 SD, range ≈ 49). Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants.
2. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Antibiotic Resistance
Focusing on non-medical students is critical, as they represent a high-risk demographic for antibiotic misuse due to their lack of formal https://www.betsomnia-nl.nl/ medical training, potential role in shaping public health behaviors, and limited awareness of AR consequences. Similarly, Mostafa et al. (2021) found that Egyptian university students demonstrated low health literacy and limited knowledge about antibiotics, increasing the likelihood of misuse . Understanding public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotics is essential for developing effective strategies to combat AR . The findings also reveal critical gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices among such students regarding antibiotic use. Overall, 77.3% demonstrated adequate knowledge, 67.4% positive attitudes, and 49.4% good practices toward antibiotic use.
Attitudes toward antibiotic use were evaluated through twelve questions, including statements such as trusting a physician’s decision when choosing not to prescribe antibiotics and avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use. The questionnaire also included items on awareness of antibiotic side effects, the consequences of overuse leading to resistance, and the misconception that resistance is trivial or solely related to allergies. A content validity ration (CVR) was calculated for each domain, and all domains reported 0.73 for knowledge domain, 0.68 for attitude domain, and 0.76 for practice domain for Cronbach alpha coefficient score. By evaluating these factors, the findings can inform targeted educational interventions to promote responsible antibiotic practices, align with national antimicrobial stewardship goals, and mitigate AR spread.
While these trends align with regional studies, they contrast with European data 15,16,40,50,51, likely reflecting cultural or institutional differences in health education. Factors such as cultural health beliefs, access to healthcare information, and variations in national health policies could all contribute to differences in awareness. In our Riyadh-based sample, participants were predominantly Saudi nationals, reflecting the local university demographics. Age is one factor linked to less responsible antibiotic behaviors, suggesting certain groups are more prone to misuse. Inappropriate antibiotic use, which is concerning, fuels antibiotic resistance. Since 2018, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has enforced regulations under the Health Practice Law, prohibiting pharmacists from dispensing antibiotics without a valid prescription from a licensed physician.
However, 40.9% of students demonstrated insufficient knowledge, and factors such as age, gender, and field of study significantly impacted KAP outcomes. Addressing these issues should be prioritized as an antimicrobial stewardship strategy as these students are crucial, tentative frontliners in healthcare administration in the country. Misconceptions persisted, with 13.3% believing antibiotics treat viral infections and 44.2% considering all antibiotics safe. Using simple random sampling, 233 students were enrolled across five health programs. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, from May–August 2024. University students in the Allied Health Sciences are uniquely positioned to influence patterns of antibiotic use, both as practitioners and educators.
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