Effect of Teaching Antimicrobial Pharmacology on Perceptions and Attitudes about Antibiotic Use among II MBBS Undergraduates

Emergence and spread of resistant organisms can be controlled by reducing overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human medicine. Tendency of antibiotic self-prescription among healthcare personnel is reported to be very high. Hence this survey of medical students' perceptions and attitudes about antimicrobial use and effect of their training was planned.

A cross-sectional analytical study where questionnaires determining knowledge and attitude about antibiotic use were filled in by III Semester MBBS students. After teaching them antimicrobial drug pharmacology over a period of 2.5 months, the questionnaire was refilled. Their answers on use of antimicrobial drugs and consumption patterns before and after teaching were compared.

Majority (95%) of the students were aware of the aim of using antibiotics and agreed on following doctors' prescription for the same. This gain in knowledge did not reflect in their attitude where 46% had used antibiotics not to get ill while 41% had taken them irregularly. Student's views about adverse effects and resistance with these drugs were variable. Teaching them antimicrobial drug pharmacology improved their knowledge towards antibiotic usage but could not clear their concepts about adverse effects and resistance due to antimicrobial agents.

This study identified the existing gaps between knowledge and attitude about antibiotic use among medical students. Educational interventions are necessary to improve perceptions of medical students on antibiotic safety concerns and resistance.