Antibiotic use: A cross-sectional survey assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices amongst students of Punjab, Pakistan

Objective The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of students regarding the use of antibiotics in Punjab, Pakistan. Participants: 525 medical and non-medical students from Punjab in Pakistan. Methods: The t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the average response of respondents. Chi-square test was used to measure the association of different elements. Results: The mean age was 20.78 +/- 2.10%. About 14% of the students agreed about the appropriateness of antibiotics for viral infections, and 15% of students said they stopped taking the drugs when symptoms subsided. 65.7% of students took antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor and 54% bought antibiotics without prescription. Statistically significant results were found among the students who had heard about the antibiotic resistance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study will help assess the adequacy of current educational campaigns, maximize rationalization of antibiotic use, and minimize gaps in knowledge and attitudes.