KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TOWARDS RATIONAL USE OF ANTIBIOTICS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN ST PAULS HOSPITAL MILLENIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Developing countries including Ethiopia experience a heavy burden of infectious diseases with a growing prevalence of disease morbidity and mortality. With the increased intensity of antimicrobial use following the increased burden of infectious disease in Ethiopia, AMR remains being a huge concern in the progress of treating infectious diseases. Health care facilities, particularly those which provide service to large number of patients, are a focal point in the emergence of AMR. Health science students who are future physicians are expected to have appropriate knowledge and attitude towards the growing menace of antibiotic resistance (ABR) Objectives: To assess the knowledge attitude and practice of rational use of antibiotics among medical students in St. Paul medical college medical students Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional interview study based on a structured questionnaire was distributed among medical students, whereby a Likert scale was used to determine their KAP regarding antibiotic use and resistance. The responses of this scale ranged from ―strongly agree‖ to ―strongly disagree‖, ―always‖ to ―never. Some questions were of ―true‖ ―false or ―uncertain‖ type. Results:: In general 85% of medical students has a good knowledge. The mean knowledge score was 10.8238 (SD: 1.16167) out of a possible maximum of 12 and minimum of 7. 59.8% of respondent are aware of that antibiotics do not help to treat viral infections. From total of 403 respondent 63% of them have a better attitude. 93.3% agree on a need to establish a course on rational use on antibiotics and 95.3% of respondent believes that there should be ̳antibiotic stewardship‘or ̳antibiotic policy in hospital setting. And 44.4% has a right practice, 34% complete the full course of treatment and 125(31%) of students always consult a doctor before start an antibiotics. According to this research finding age and year of student has significance in knowledge and practice. Conclusions and Recommendation: The participants in our study had knowledge, attitude and practice about the rational use of antibiotics and a perception that antibiotics were being overused and that rational drug prescribing had an important role in the antibiotic resistance.. Students belonging to medical health care sector should be well aware about the antibiotic prescribing and resistance for the welfare of the general masses. The provision of unbiased and evidence based information about AB and local AB resistance rates to all prescribers and the implementation of quality assurance for drugs in order to improve confidence among the general public and professionals. Educational measures such as trainings are highly welcomed, and the implementation of AB committees should be studied at national pilot settings.