Knowledge-Based Attitudes of Medical Students in Antibiotic Therapy and Antibiotic Resistance. A Cross-Sectional Study

Tomasz Sobierajski, Beata Mazińska, Monika Wanke-Rytt and Waleria Hryniewicz
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Tomasz Sobierajski: Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and Resocialization, University of Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland
Beata Mazińska: Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, Chełmska 30/34, 00-725 Warsaw, Poland
Monika Wanke-Rytt: Department of Pediatrics with Clinical Assessment Unit, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
Waleria Hryniewicz: Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, Chełmska 30/34, 00-725 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: We aimed to evaluate the knowledge-based attitudes of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among medical students of Medical University of Warsaw using the questionnaire prepared by the study’s authors. In May–June 2018, we carried out a cross-sectional study among the students of all years, embracing 291 respondents. The students were divided into two groups: A (students in their first to third years) and B (students in their fourth to sixth years). Our study has shown that students are aware of the dangers of antibiotic resistance, seeing the leading cause as antibiotic misuse. We have shown that they are also aware of their insufficient knowledge and believe that more antibiotic therapy classes should be included in the curriculum of Medical University of Warsaw. Our questionnaire also focused on attitudes towards antibiotics based on knowledge. One in four respondents (23.7%), based on their knowledge, negated antibiotic therapy ordered by a doctor in the event of their illness, and four in ten (40.9%) in the occurrence of disease of a family member or friend. The vast majority of students (92.4%) would like to broaden their knowledge on antibiotic therapy. However, only one-fifth of students have heard about the European Antibiotic Awareness Day campaign. We recommend increasing the number of hours on antibiotic therapy and resistance education combined with topics on hand hygiene.

Keywords: antibiotic; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic misuse; education; knowledge; medical students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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