Abstract

A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED SURVEY ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF ANTIBIOTICS AMONG DENTAL AND PARAMEDICAL STUDENTS- A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY

Dr. Siddharth Tevatia*, Dr. Shubhi Chaudhry, Dr. Rishi Rath and Dr. Vidya Dodwad

ABSTRACT

Background: Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) related to antibiotic resistance and usage in dental & paramedical students. Materials and Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional interview study based on a structured questionnaire was distributed among dental & paramedical students, whereby a Likert scale was used to determine their KAP regarding antibiotic use and resistance. The responses of this scale ranged from ―strongly agree‖ to ―strongly disagree‖, ―always‖ to ―never‖. Some questions were of ―true‖ ―false‖ or ―uncertain‖ type. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in attitude scores between different age groups and levels of education. There was a significant difference in knowledge and attitude scores between different batches. Also there was a difference obtained in KAP scores when students belonging to different status and students of different courses were compared. Conclusions: Students belonging to medical health care sector should be well aware about the antibiotic prescribing and resistance for the welfare of the general masses.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance, antibiotic prescribing, antibiotic usage, general masses, public health.