Further investigation into this demographic is essential for promoting responsible antibiotic stewardship and mitigating resistance on university campuses and beyond. Studies exploring self-medication, antibiotic sharing, and misconceptions among students are scarce, all of which contribute to antimicrobial resistance . Studies from England, Italy, and Cyprus highlight this trend, demonstrating that younger individuals report poorer antibiotic knowledge and higher misuse rates 15,16,17. Younger demographics, particularly university students, are globally recognized as high-risk groups for AR. Recent studies indicate that many individuals lack adequate knowledge about proper antibiotic use, contributing to the spread of resistance.
Among Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 32% were methicillin-resistant (MRSA), while Streptococcus pneumoniae demonstrated penicillin G resistance (33%) and erythromycin resistance (26%) .
This disparity aligns with the observation that science and engineering students, benefiting from biology/microbiology-rich curricula and practical lab work, demonstrate enhanced antibiotic understanding and practices, thus contributing to improved public health literacy. This study used Pearson’s Chi-Square test to explore the relationship between antibiotic knowledge, attitudes, and practices and demographic factors, after confirming the test’s assumptions, notably that expected cell frequencies were above five. Logistic regression model was computed to identify predictors of inadequate knowledge, negative attitude, and poor practices towards antibiotics use. Data on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use were collected via a structured, pretested questionnaire.
Developed the overall framework and methodology for this study. Policymakers must implement multifaceted interventions addressing healthcare and patient factors. Second, the cross-sectional design precludes establishing causal relationships or analyzing temporal trends between awareness and behavioral factors. This course could cover resistance mechanisms, global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trends, and ethical considerations in engineering contexts (e.g., pharmaceutical waste management). Younger students (19–20 years) emerged as a critical subgroup requiring early intervention during their formative academic years. Collectively, the findings emphasize the need for targeted educational campaigns to improve antibiotic stewardship, addressing misconceptions and promoting responsible use within this population.
Al Nasser et al. (2021) reported that while people may possess some knowledge about antibiotics, they often exhibit negative attitudes toward their use . Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a critical global health challenge, driven by the widespread misuse and overuse of antibiotics, leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), which significantly complicate treatment options 1,2. Additionally, the absence of clinical validation—such as prescription audits or medical records—may lead to overestimations of appropriate antibiotic practices Such initiatives would bridge technical expertise with public health priorities, positioning engineers as advocates for antibiotic stewardship. Collaborations with medical or public health faculties could foster interdisciplinary solutions, empowering engineers to design innovations (e.g., wastewater treatment systems) that mitigate AMR risks. For engineering students, who demonstrated higher baseline knowledge, introducing an elective course on antibiotic awareness could leverage their scientific literacy and problem-solving skills.
However, 40.9% of students demonstrated insufficient knowledge, and factors such as age, gender, and field of study significantly impacted KAP outcomes. Addressing these issues should be prioritized as an antimicrobial stewardship strategy as these students are crucial, tentative frontliners in healthcare administration in the country. Misconceptions persisted, with 13.3% believing antibiotics treat viral infections and 44.2% considering all antibiotics safe. Using simple random sampling, 233 students were enrolled across five health programs. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, from May–August 2024. University students in the Allied Health Sciences are uniquely positioned to influence patterns of antibiotic use, both as practitioners and educators.
Females had 65.8% higher odds of demonstrating a positive attitude toward AR prevention, compared to males, and 52% higher odds of adopting appropriate practices than males. Abstract Introduction Antibiotic misuse is a growing global concern as it exacerbates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and in Ghana, antibiotic misuse persists. The focus on non-medical students addressed literature gaps, while standardized, WHO-aligned questions minimized variability and improved global comparability. Students in science and engineering disciplines demonstrated stronger knowledge and more responsible practices than peers in other fields, underscoring the influence of scientific training in curricula.
While our study primarily focused on university students within Riyadh, we acknowledge that nationality could indeed play a role. Students from literary fields were the most likely to have insufficient knowledge, attitudes, and practices, while those in science and engineering showed better outcomes. While overall awareness and behavior appear positive, nearly four in ten students lack proper understanding and engagement in AR practices. The study converted all antibiotic-related knowledge, attitude, and practice scores into percentages to standardize scoring and classify proficiency levels.
Participants scoring above 60% were deemed to have adequate KAP, whereas those at or below this threshold were categorized as having insufficient understanding or behaviors in antibiotic use. Knowledge-related questions were scored with a binary system, where incorrect or uncertain (“don’t know”) responses received a score of 0, while correct answers were awarded 1 point. Domains with less than 0.07 were reviewed carefully, and targeted questions were modified or deleted accordingly. It was piloted among 5% of the sample (35 students). Data collection was conducted from 4 September to 19 October 2023 by a team of trained students from the College of Medicine at AlMaarefa University, who followed standardized protocols for accuracy and consistency. This in-person approach ensured direct participant engagement, comprehensive responses, and efficient data collection.
Students may lack awareness of pharmacists’ expertise, highlighting an opportunity to diversify accessible, trusted healthcare sources for public education. However, expanding awareness to include pharmacists—equally qualified to educate on antibiotic use and resistance—is critical. Such contradiction is probably due to the inclusion in their sample with all age groups rather than a young population of university students . As depicted in Table 1, among the 672 participants involved in this study, the mean age of the students was 20.2 years ±standard deviation (SD) 1.8.
A national study on Gram-positive bacteria in Saudi Arabia revealed alarming resistance trends. The NAP is structured around five sub-committees dedicated to raising awareness, monitoring resistance patterns, strengthening infection control, optimizing antibiotic use, and advancing research. This comprehensive strategy aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Action Plan and focuses on multi-sectoral collaboration, evidence-based interventions, and enhancing awareness of AMR among both the public and healthcare professionals 6,7. The primary source of information on antibiotics was healthcare professionals, particularly doctors.
While these trends align with regional studies, they contrast with European data 15,16,40,50,51, likely reflecting cultural or institutional differences in health education. Factors such as cultural health beliefs, access to healthcare information, and variations in national health policies could https://www.betsomnia-nl.nl/ all contribute to differences in awareness. In our Riyadh-based sample, participants were predominantly Saudi nationals, reflecting the local university demographics. Age is one factor linked to less responsible antibiotic behaviors, suggesting certain groups are more prone to misuse. Inappropriate antibiotic use, which is concerning, fuels antibiotic resistance. Since 2018, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has enforced regulations under the Health Practice Law, prohibiting pharmacists from dispensing antibiotics without a valid prescription from a licensed physician.
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