Knowledge, Awareness and Antibiotic-Use Practices Related to Antimicrobial Resistance among Healthcare Students in Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
TL;DR
Healthcare students demonstrated good knowledge and awareness/attitude of AMR; however, inappropriate practices persisted and the gap between knowledge and behaviour highlights the need for practical, behaviour-focused stewardship training and improved analytical approaches in future studies.
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health challenge driven largely by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. AMR occurs when microorganisms no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. This study evaluated the knowledge, awareness/attitude, and antibiotic-use practices related to antimicrobial resistance among healthcare students in Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate healthcare students in Medicine, Nursing Science, Pharmacy, and Medical Laboratory Science. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A total of 560 students participated. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Ordinal logistic regression was additionally used to assess predictors of knowledge and awareness/attitude, with model fitness evaluated statistically. Among 560 healthcare students aged 18–50 years (mean 23 years), females constituted 60.7%, and most respondents were in 400 level. Knowledge was mainly moderate: poor 17.3%, moderate 64.1%, good 18.6%. Awareness was stronger, with 70.0% showing good awareness. Misconceptions persisted: 43.8% believed antibiotics treat viral infections, and only 46.2% rejected immediate antibiotics for viral pharyngitis. In adjusted ordinal regression, Medicine students had higher knowledge than Medical Laboratory Science students, AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.10–2.87, p = 0.018; Pharmacy, AOR = 6.18, 95% CI: 3.62–10.58; Nursing, AOR = 4.35, 95% CI: 2.57–7.38, both p < 0.001. Knowledge model fit was acceptable, χ²(4) = 58.27, p < 0.001; Nagelkerke R² = 0.118. Antibiotic-use practices remained poor. Healthcare students demonstrated good knowledge and awareness/attitude of AMR; however, inappropriate practices persisted. The gap between knowledge and behaviour highlights the need for practical, behaviour-focused stewardship training and improved analytical approaches in future studies.