Knowledge, attitudes, and practice with respect to antibiotic use among pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study

Antibiotic resistance is a major health threat and efforts should be intensified to reduce its burden. Healthcare providers, especially pharmacists, can be actively involved in the reduction of antibiotic resistance. However, negative practices among pharmacists have been observed. This study evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among Jordanian pharmacy students.

A cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire that was developed and distributed to Jordanian pharmacy students from five different universities. KAP scores were calculated, with students categorized into low and high levels based on each score mean.

A total of 890 pharmacy students completed the questionnaire. High positive response rate (PR%) for the majority of the knowledge items was observed, exceeding 60% in all knowledge items, and similar PR% was observed in attitude items. The variables significantly associated with attitude were age [OR=0.92 (95% CI 0.87: 0.98), p=0.01] and knowledge [OR=1.35 (95% CI 1.01:1.82), p=0.04], while knowledge was significantly associated with practice [OR=0.23 (95% CI 0.16:0.31), p<0.001].

Jordanian pharmacy students showed adequate KAP toward the use of antibiotics although several aspects of malpractice were identified. Hence, adequate knowledge about antibiotics among pharmacy students should be ensured as knowledge is associated with attitudes and practices.