Knowledge and Attitudes towards Antibiotics among Non-Medical Students at An-Najah National University in (Nablus-Palestine)

Supervisor:

Dr. Belal Rahhal

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics are the most described drugs by doctors and used worldwide. In many developed countries, antibiotics are sold without prescription of doctors and used in a wrong way. The wrong use of antibiotics in doses and the Length or shortness duration of treatment will increase the resistance of bacteria to those drugs. The aim of this study is to examine the knowledge of antibiotics use and antibiotics resistance among non-medical students at An Najah National University in Palestine.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at An Najah National University, Palestine September 2017. Convenience sampling method was used. A questionnaire was developed and loaded by 200  non-medical students to determine their knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotic use and antibiotics resistance.

Results: Two hundred non-medical students completed the questionnaire. Nearly 63.5 % of were females. Approximately 51.5% of the students agreed that antibiotics are effective against bacteria. Almost 73% of the participants had a negative knowledge about the use of antibiotics for cold and cough. Around 40.5% agreed that using more antibiotics in society, rising the risk that resistance develops and spreads. Nearly half (53.5%) of the student agreed that antibiotic’s resistance can spread from one to another.

Conclusions: Non-medical students have insufficient knowledge related to antibiotics use and resistance, which leads to inappropriate attitudes and practices. Educational interventions for non-medical students will decrease unnecessary antibiotics use and resistance.

Keywords:  Non-Medical Students, Knowledge, Practice, Antibiotics, Antibiotic resistance, An-Najah National University,  Palestine.