Knowledge and self-reported confidence in antimicrobial stewardship programme among final year pharmacy undergraduate students in Malaysia and Nigeria

Objective: This study evaluated the knowledge and self-reported confidence of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) among pharmacy students in Malaysia and Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among final year undergraduate pharmacy students in a university from both Nigeria and Malaysia using a 59-item online questionnaire. Results: A total of 150 final year undergraduate pharmacy students completed the questionnaire. Exposure to infectious diseases clerkship was higher among the Malaysian students (78.2% versus 25.4%; p < 0.001). Overall, the knowledge score for antibiotic resistance and AMS were comparable (6.2 +/- 1.5 and 3.6 +/- 1.2, respectively versus 5.9 +/- 1.6 and 3.3 +/- 1.3). The knowledge of antibiotic therapy was higher among the Malaysian students (5.4 +/- 1.8 versus 4.2 +/- 1.8; p < 0.001) while self-reported confidence to participate in AMS was higher among the Nigerian students (median 48.0, IQR 26 - 75 versus median 36.5, IQR 15 - 75; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pharmacy students in Malaysia and Nigeria have appreciable knowledge of antibiotic resistance, antibiotic therapy and AMS. More training on topics is recommended to improve the skills and competency of future pharmacists to participate in AMS.