Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) towards Resistance and use of Antibiotic among Veterinary Medicine and Healthcare Students in DhiQar Province / Iraq

Abstract

Antibiotics (ABs) constitute one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the world. Misuse and overuse of ABs are the main contributing causes to antibiotic (AB) resistance. It is expected that more than 50% of ABs are bought without aproper prescription. Identified self-medication with ABs as one type of excessive use leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Self-medication antibiotics assume particular significance for healthcare students since they are potential medical practitioners. The goal of this research is to assess the frequency of antibiotic self-medication among students in healthcare and their awareness and perception of AB use and its dangers. A pre-validated cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed among 255healthcarestudents at DhiQar University, Iraq during February 2020, Including medical, pharmacy, nursing, associate physician, dental, and veterinary medicine graduates. Antibiotic resistance has been called a bigger global problem than obesity, food safety, or climate change (p < 0.001). The majority of the participants (95 percent) thought AB resistance will be a challenge for their possible practice, but less (69 percent) thought the ABs they should administer, prescribe or dispense will lead to the issue. Twenty percent of the participants believed they had adequate information about the use of AB for their potential research. This exploratory study shows that students of animal and human health care are aware of the value of AB resistance yet there are stillsome misunderstandings on others. These could be resolved by promotions and enhanced educational programs applying methods of behavioral insights.