Assessment of knowledge, behavior and attitudes toward using antibiotics among non-medical students at the University of Fallujah, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics are medicines used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the inappropriate use of these medicines. Therefore, the world urgently needs to change the way that it prescribes and uses antibiotics.Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and behavior towards antibiotics usage among non-medical students at the University of Fallujah, IraqMethods: A cross sectional study was conducted during the period from January to March 2019. Self-administered questionnaire comprised 25 questions divided into four parts, was used. The first part included demographic questions; the second, third and fourth parts were designed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of respondents toward antibiotics usage respectively.Results: Females represented 54.8% of the subjects included in the study, and the age of subjects ranged between 19 and 24 years. About two thirds (64.1%) of participants believed that antibiotics work on most coughs and colds. In addition, 61.3% of the participants stated that “I will take antibiotic without prescription by a doctor”, while 55.6% of respondents preferred taking antibiotics with tea and only 39.1 % said that they took antibiotics with water.Conclusion: Poor knowledge was detected among the non-medical students towards antibiotics usage. Health education programs might be needed among university students to improve their general knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic