Knowledge and attitudes of biomedical science students about antibiotic resistance

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Antibiotics are essential drugs for treating bacterial infections; however, inappropriate use contributes to antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of biomedical science students regarding risks associated with antibiotic use and the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire-based survey. A total of 195 biomedical science students participated, including 65 students each from medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac. Participants anonymously completed a 15-item questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge and attitudes related to antibiotic use and resistance. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

Results The mean age of participants was 24.06 ± 1.1 years, and most respondents were female (80.5%). Nearly all students were familiar with the definition of antibiotics (98.5%), types of antibiotics (89.2%), and the concept of antimicrobial resistance (99.5%). The majority (75.9%) recognized antibiotic resistance as a major global health problem. Statistically significant differences were observed between medical and dental students, as well as between pharmacy and dental students. Concern about the impact of antibiotic resistance on personal health varied significantly among groups; 55.4% reported concern, while 33.3% were not concerned. Most respondents (96.4%) strongly agreed that responsible antibiotic use is a collective responsibility.

Conclusion Students across all study programs demonstrated good knowledge of antibiotic use and resistance but expressed a need for additional education. Curriculum revision during clinical training may improve application of knowledge in future clinical practice.

Keywords: antibiotics; resistance; students