Abstract:

Background: The widespread use, misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human medicine have resulted in emergence and spread of antibiotics resistance consequently decreasing their effectiveness and efficacy. Antibiotic resistance has become a worldwide public health problem; the World Health Organization has reported the increase in antibiotic resistance worldwide and this problem leads to an excess in the morbidity and mortality. The resistance increased due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics. This study was aimed at obtaining baseline information on the knowledge attitude and practice towards antibiotics.

Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of the knowledge, attitude and practice towards antibiotics use was conducted among convenience sample of non-medical university students at St. Augustine University in the period from June to July 2020. Data entry was performed using Epicollect5 then transferred to SPSS Version 20 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the data.

Results/Discussion: The responses of 395 students was obtained of which 160 (40.5%) were females and 235 (59.5%) were males with the frequency age of between 15-24 years. The knowledge assessment test showed poor knowledge of antibiotic use among 253(64.1%) students and only 142(35.9%) had good knowledge. On attitude assessment, 105(26.6%) students had positive attitude on antibiotics use where by 198(50.1%) believed that antibiotics were safe drugs, hence they could be used commonly. Also, just 137(34.7%) students had good practice on antibiotics use of which 169(42.8%) of students used to obtain antibiotics under prescription from doctors.

Conclusion: This study showed that there was a limited knowledge of antibiotics use and resistance exists among non-medical University students at St. Augustine. It is suggests a high level of antibiotics misuse in the form on non-adherence to prescribed dose of antibiotics and self-medication for treating cough and headache.