Antibiotics and Their Resistance: Assessment of Knowledge among Final Year Pharm. D Students

Fakhsheena Anjum^1*, Sana Ahmed¹, Saqiba Rasool¹, Juweria Khan¹ & Samina Faiza²

¹Dow College of Pharmacy, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
²Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

Dr. Fakhsheena Anjum, Dow College of Pharmacy, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.

Keywords: Knowledge; Antibiotics; Resistance; Students; Assessment

Abstract

To assess knowledge about antibiotics and their resistance among Pharmacy under graduate students, this study was undertaken from July to November 2015 in three public sector universities located in Karachi, Pakistan, offering Pharm-D program. Completed questionnaires were collected by the researchers for descriptive analysis using SPSS version 16.0. Out of n= 150, n= 132 completely filled questionnaires were collected from the students (response rate= 88%) of final year Pharm. D. Around 96% results showed that the students knew that antibiotics are used for bacterial infections and they are considered as most commonly prescribed anti-infective agents by prescribers. More than 80% students knew that antibiotics should not be used for cold, cough, inflammation or pain and about 85% students thought that allergy may be developed due to antibiotic use in susceptible persons. Around 50% students had no idea that enterococci are Vancomycin resistant bacteria; about 60% replied that S.aureus are Pencillin resistant bacteria; almost 60?nied that M. tuberculosis are Isoniazid resistant bacteria whereas around 50% students had no idea that P. aeruginosa are Aminoglycoside resistant bacteria. Almost 80% students agreed that antibiotics could be obtained without prescription from local pharmacies of the city. It was seen that almost 85% students knew that incomplete antibiotic regimen may cause resistance and about 95% had knowledge that antibiotic resistance may also be developed due to prolonged use. About 90% students thought that formal teaching on rational use of antibiotics is required to reduce burden of antibiotic resistance. The knowledge about antibiotics and their resistance was found quite satisfactory among under graduate Pharm-D students but still improvement is required specially for those students who would be practicing in the health care sector in future.

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