Abstract:

Background: AMR has emerged and spread as a result of inappropriate antibiotic use. This study aims to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotics use among diploma nursing students at KICHAS in Moshi, Tanzania.

Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotic use was conducted among convenience sample of diploma nursing students at KICHAS in Moshi between April and May 2022. Prior to completing each questionnaire, each participant was asked to sign a written consent form. Data collected was entered in Microsoft Excel 2019, cleaned and transferred into SPSS version 20 for analysis, summarized using frequencies and percentages then presented by using charts

Results: The study included 121 diploma nursing students whereby, 68 (56.2%) females, 53 (43.8%) males and involved 40 first-year, 35 second-year and 46 third-year students. In general majority of students had adequate knowledge. Second year students (100%) had more adequate knowledge than first (92.5%) and third year students (97.8%). Third year students (80.4%) had more positive attitude toward antibiotic use than first (57.5%) and second year students (60%). Third year students (78.3%) had more good practice of antibiotic use than first (60%) and second year students (62.9%).

Conclusion: Majority of students have adequate knowledge, positive attitude and good practices of antibiotic use. The level of knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotic use varies among first, second and third year diploma nursing students. This suggests that educational interventions on appropriate antibiotic use should be made mandatory in all the academic years of diploma nursing curriculum in order to promote judicious antibiotic use and minimize impacts of AMR.