Combining prevention and response interventions is essential for effective control in healthcare settings . Family/siblings or friends provided information for 7.0% (47 participants), while social media was a source for 6.8% (46 participants). Pharmacists were the second-most common source, consulted by 9.4% (63 participants). The mean knowledge score related to AR was 63.97 ≈ 64 (±8 SD, range ≈ 49). Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants.

  • In our Riyadh-based sample, participants were predominantly Saudi nationals, reflecting the local university demographics.
  • Although the dataset contained minimal missing values, specifically about ten instances within the attitude assessment, mean imputation was employed to address these gaps.
  • Using simple random sampling, 233 students were enrolled across five health programs.
  • A cross-sectional design was used to measure the level of awareness of antibiotic misuse that leads to AR among students in public and private universities of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • Students in science and engineering disciplines demonstrated stronger knowledge and more responsible practices than peers in other fields, underscoring the influence of scientific training in curricula.
  • The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other global health agencies advocate for integrated public health strategies to fight MDROs, particularly among university students.
  • The sample was then proportionally allocated to each university.

Students may lack awareness of pharmacists’ expertise, highlighting an opportunity to diversify accessible, trusted healthcare sources for public education. However, expanding awareness to include pharmacists—equally qualified to educate on antibiotic use and resistance—is critical. Such contradiction is probably due to the inclusion in their sample with all age groups rather than a young population of university students . As depicted in Table 1, among the 672 participants involved in this study, the mean age of the students was 20.2 years ±standard deviation (SD) 1.8.
Developed the overall framework and methodology for this study. Policymakers must implement multifaceted interventions addressing healthcare and patient factors. Second, the cross-sectional design precludes establishing causal relationships or analyzing temporal trends between awareness and behavioral factors. This course could cover resistance mechanisms, global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trends, and ethical considerations in engineering contexts (e.g., pharmaceutical waste management). Younger students (19–20 years) emerged as a critical subgroup requiring early intervention during their formative academic years. Collectively, the findings emphasize the need for targeted educational campaigns to improve antibiotic stewardship, addressing misconceptions and promoting responsible use within this population.

3.2. Data Collection Instrument

While these trends align with regional studies, they contrast with European data 15,16,40,50,51, likely reflecting cultural or institutional differences in health education. Factors such as cultural health beliefs, access to healthcare information, and variations in national health policies could all contribute to differences in awareness. In our Riyadh-based sample, participants were predominantly Saudi nationals, reflecting the local university demographics. Age is one factor linked to less responsible antibiotic behaviors, suggesting certain groups are more prone to misuse. Inappropriate antibiotic use, which is concerning, fuels antibiotic resistance. Since 2018, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has enforced regulations under the Health Practice Law, prohibiting pharmacists from dispensing antibiotics without a valid prescription from a licensed physician.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of antibiotic use among students in a Ghanaian tertiary institution

  • These behaviors increase the prevalence of resistant infections, leading to harder-to-treat diseases, higher healthcare costs, and increased outbreak risks on university campuses and within the broader community, posing a significant public health threat .
  • This study found that non-medical students at Riyadh universities demonstrate strong awareness of antibiotic use information sources, with 76% relying primarily on physicians—a rate markedly higher than the 38% observed among Malaysian university students .
  • Al Nasser et al. (2021) reported that while people may possess some knowledge about antibiotics, they often exhibit negative attitudes toward their use .
  • Combining prevention and response interventions is essential for effective control in healthcare settings .
  • Risky behaviors—such as self-medication and sharing antibiotics without prescriptions—were widespread, revealing a mismatch between partial awareness and actual practices 13,45,46,47,48,49.
  • The attitude and practice sections utilized a five-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree), with responses scored from 1 (least appropriate) to 5 (most appropriate).

Participants scoring above 60% were deemed to have adequate KAP, whereas those at or below this threshold were categorized as having insufficient understanding or behaviors in antibiotic use. Knowledge-related questions were scored with a binary system, where incorrect or uncertain (“don’t know”) responses received a score of 0, while correct answers were awarded 1 point. Domains with less than 0.07 were reviewed carefully, and targeted questions were modified or deleted accordingly. It was piloted among 5% of the sample (35 students). Data collection was conducted from 4 September to 19 October 2023 by a team of trained students from the College of Medicine at AlMaarefa University, who followed standardized protocols for accuracy and consistency. This in-person approach ensured direct participant engagement, comprehensive responses, and efficient data collection.

2. Study Design and Settings

This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward AR among non-medical university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to identify factors influencing antibiotic use. Including non-medical university students in this study is critical due to their heightened risk of antibiotic misuse, lack of formal medical training to guide appropriate use, and potential influence on public health behaviors. Table 3 illustrates the analysis of the association between sociodemographic characteristics and sufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and appropriate practice of antibiotics among university students and reveals several significant patterns.

2. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Antibiotic Resistance

This study provides vital data for public health initiatives and informs effective strategies to promote responsible antibiotic use. This study reveals a significant lack of knowledge and understanding about AR among non-medical university students. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other global health agencies advocate https://www.betsomnia-nl.nl/ for integrated public health strategies to fight MDROs, particularly among university students.
Further investigation into this demographic is essential for promoting responsible antibiotic stewardship and mitigating resistance on university campuses and beyond. Studies exploring self-medication, antibiotic sharing, and misconceptions among students are scarce, all of which contribute to antimicrobial resistance . Studies from England, Italy, and Cyprus highlight this trend, demonstrating that younger individuals report poorer antibiotic knowledge and higher misuse rates 15,16,17. Younger demographics, particularly university students, are globally recognized as high-risk groups for AR. Recent studies indicate that many individuals lack adequate knowledge about proper antibiotic use, contributing to the spread of resistance.

Published in Discover Public Health

A convenience sampling was employed to select participants based on accessibility and willingness to participate on campus, continuing until the required sample size was met. The sample was then proportionally allocated to each university. A multistage sampling method was used, first stratifying Riyadh universities as public or private (three universities for each). This study adhered to strict ethical guidelines. These findings highlight the pressing need for sustained antimicrobial stewardship efforts and strict enforcement of antibiotic regulations to mitigate the growing threat of AMR in the region.

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and awareness of appropriate antibiotic use among university students. The study highlights persistent knowledge gaps about AR among non-medical university students in Riyadh, despite moderate general awareness. This study found that non-medical students at Riyadh universities demonstrate strong awareness of antibiotic use information sources, with 76% relying primarily on physicians—a rate markedly higher than the 38% observed among Malaysian university students . Our study revealed a lack of knowledge regarding the safe use of antibiotics and inadequate medical practices related to their consumption among the population.
Focusing on non-medical students is critical, as they represent a high-risk demographic for antibiotic misuse due to their lack of formal medical training, potential role in shaping public health behaviors, and limited awareness of AR consequences. Similarly, Mostafa et al. (2021) found that Egyptian university students demonstrated low health literacy and limited knowledge about antibiotics, increasing the likelihood of misuse . Understanding public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotics is essential for developing effective strategies to combat AR . The findings also reveal critical gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices among such students regarding antibiotic use. Overall, 77.3% demonstrated adequate knowledge, 67.4% positive attitudes, and 49.4% good practices toward antibiotic use.