ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE AMONG STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Background 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the biggest problems facing healthcare worldwide. Although its dastardly implications are undeniable, the menace persists. Hence, there is an urgent need to encourage potential stewards of AMR among healthcare professionals and youths alike. This study aimed to critically assess the knowledge of antibiotic usage and resistance among the students of the University of Nigeria on two campuses (Nsukka and Enugu). 

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 480 undergraduate students of the University of Nigeria from the Nsukka (242) and Enugu (238) campuses between October 2023 and November 2023 using a semi-structured, self-administered online questionnaire and data were analyzed using Panda python library version 2.1.1. Analytical decisions were considered significant at P < 0.05.

Results

Respondents were mostly females (51.2%), with majority of the respondents aged between 21-25 years (62.9%) and 50.4% of them stayed on Nsukka campus. 366 students (76.25%) claimed to be familiar with the term AMR. While 114 students (23.75%) indicated that they were not familiar with the term AMR. 345 respondents were studying health-related courses while 135 were studying non-health-related courses. 134 (38.8%) respondents from health-related departments had a fair understanding of AMR. 211 (61.2%) from health-related departments demonstrated a strong understanding of AMR. On the other hand, 118 (87.4%) respondents from non-health-related departments possessed a fair understanding of AMR. While only 17 (12.6%) from non-health-related departments demonstrated a strong understanding of AMR.. 366 (76.25%) respondents desired more education on antimicrobial use and resistance.

Conclusion

Overall, there was laudable awareness about AMR among students in the University of Nigeria Nsukka and University of Nigeria Enugu campuses, however, evidence of misuse of antibiotics was still found among respondents. Therefore, we recommend that more holistic public enlightenment programs are carried out to dissuade self-medication and improve AMR stewardship