BACKGROUND:
The decline in the effectiveness of antibiotics is a clear sign of antibiotic resistance. This issue is causing infections that were once easily treated to become extremely dangerous due to a lack of medicinal options.
Even basic medical procedures like chemotherapy and organ transplants can now be risky. Treating antibiotic-resistant conditions requires more time and complex therapies, leading to higher healthcare costs
for patients, their families, and healthcare systems. This added burden can be especially difficult for communities with limited resources. Infections that are resistant to drugs often require longer treatment
times and extended hospital stays, resulting in chronic illness and decreased quality of life and productivity
for patients.
INTRODUCTION:
Antibiotics are defined as “antimicrobial drugs active against bacteria by either killing or inhibiting their growth”. Whereas its resistance is demonstrated as an aspect of antimicrobial resistance that enables a
particular bacterial species to acquire a tendency to resist antibiotics intended to suppress or eradicate the germ themselves.
OBJECTIVES:
Our objectives were to comprehend as:
1. To assess medical students’ knowledge regarding antibiotic use and
its resistance.
2. To evaluate the student’s attitude regarding antibiotic usage.
3. To assess the practice of antibiotics in medical Students.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
The primary outcome of this research was to assess the knowledge and attitude of medical students regarding antibiotic usage and its resistance. To know whether they had the best approach towards antibiotic
use to avoid its resistance which will ultimately move towards major complications.
METHODOLOGY:
➢STUDY DESIGN:
It was a cross-sectional descriptive study.
➢SETTING:
It took place at Northwest School of Medicine, Rehman Medical College, Pak International
Medical College, and Khyber Girls Medical College.
➢SUBJECTS:
We collected data from 380 medical students. The subjects were selected from four institutes of
Peshawar; which included 93 from NWSM, 101 from RMC, 93 from PIMC, 93 from KGMC
➢METHOD:
Data was collected via a non-probability convenient sampling technique via a self-administered questionnaire.
RESULT:
the study aimed to explore medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward inappropriate
antibiotic use. The research included 380 medical students from various institutions with an age range of
18 to 30 years. Female students outnumbered males (57.9% vs. 42.1%). Each institution had a similar representation. 37.36% had good knowledge, 54.15% fair, and 8.95% poor. Most know that antibiotics treat
infections. Attitude-wise 44.32% had a good attitude, 46.83% were fair, and 8.95% were poor. Some felt confident in self-medicating with antibiotics (32.9%) while 36.8% were unsure. 27.4% believed skipping doses does not cause resistance, 53.3% saw resistance as minor, 58.2% recognized its significance and 57.6% disagreed with taking others prescribed antibiotics. In terms of practices, 57.89% had good practices, 36.3% fair and 5.9% poor. 76.8% completed full courses, and 62.1% stopped when symptoms improved. Sharing antibiotics was common (38.7%). 85.8% checked the expiry date but only 35.8% of patients consulted the doctor for wrong antibiotics. Overall findings
underlying the need for comprehensive education among medical students on appropriate antibiotic use
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