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Knowledge, Attitude, Perception and Practice of Antibiotics Usage Among the Medical Students
  • Palanisamy Sivanandy,
  • Huai Seang Loh
Palanisamy Sivanandy
International Medical University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Huai Seang Loh
International Medical University
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Abstract

Background: Globally, the emergence of antibiotic/ antimicrobial resistance became a tremendous public health concern. The inappropriate practices of antibiotic usage have a profound impact on antibiotic/ antimicrobial resistance. Medical students are the future prescriber who responsible for monitoring and counselling the patient on the antibiotic usage pattern. Hence, it is crucial to explore their knowledge, attitudes and perception pertaining to the use of antibiotics and AR. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the final year medical students at a private medical university. A total of 41 questions with varying responses such as true or false, specific answer type and Likert’s scale (5-point responses) were used in this study. Results: Out of 130 questionnaires distributed, 113 responses were received, and the response rate was 86.92%. Among the respondents, 95% (101) had used antibiotics in the last year. Surprisingly, all the students know that the full course of antibiotics should be taken and finished as directed. Overall, the respondents demonstrated moderate to good knowledge, attitudes, and perception on the use of antibiotics and its resistance. Still, some of them are unaware of their roles and responsibilities as a prescriber on antibiotic practice. Conclusion: In the present study, medical students practice widespread use of antibiotics for various illness and some accesses antibiotics without prescription. There is an alarming situation as some medical students did not know the exact role of healthcare providers on antibiotics usage and the common terminologies used in routine practice. The study provides a clear implication that more comprehensive training and educations on antibiotics and its resistance need to include in the medical curriculum to minimise antibiotics related complications.