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Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of antimicrobial usage and resistance among the medical undergraduates

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Original Article

Author Details : Archana Parihar*, Pavan Malhotra, Diwanshu Sharma

Volume : 6, Issue : 4, Year : 2019

Article Page : 113-120

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijpp.2019.025

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Abstract

Introduction: The menace of antimicrobial abuse and resistance has enveloped the entire world. As the medical students are the future prescribers so their knowledge and attitude in relation to public usage of antimicrobials and rational prescription of antimicrobials will make them important fighters against antimicrobial resistance. Hence the present study was designed and undertaken with an objective to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of medical undergraduates on usage of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based observational study was conducted among the undergraduates from 4^th to 9^th semester of MBBS. A total of 350 students were enrolled in the study and they were required to fill up the questionnaire which contained questions regarding knowledge, attitude and practice of antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance.
Results: Majority of the students (96.57%) were aware of the fact that antimicrobial resistance is a serious global public health issue. Only 9.41% felt the need of antimicrobials to treat common cold, while as (95.71%) students realised the importance of antimicrobial policy in the hospital to achieve rational antimicrobial usage. Only half of the students always consulted a doctor before starting an antimicrobial agent.
Conclusion: The knowledge of the students regarding antimicrobials was adequate, though the attitude was little lax towards it. They seemed to be a bit perplexed about the use of antimicrobials on themselves. Appropriate educational interventions and strategies can be introduced to tackle this weak aspect of our students.

Keywords: Antimicrobial use, Antimicrobial resistance, Medical undergraduates, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice.

How to cite : Parihar A , Malhotra P, Sharma D, Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of antimicrobial usage and resistance among the medical undergraduates. Indian J Pharm Pharmacol 2019;6(4):113-120

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