Abstract:
One of the major contributors to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is human misuse
of antibiotics. The goal of this research project was to understand knowledge, attitudes,
and practices (KAP) related to antibiotic use and AMR among undergraduate students at
a large public university. A total of 527 undergraduate students at George Mason
University completed an online KAP survey about AMR, holistic health, and climate
change in January and February 2020. The participants were reasonably representative of
the university’s undergraduate student population. While 92% of the participants knew
that antibiotics could be used to cure bacterial infections and 82% knew that resistant
pathogens can be contagious, 47% incorrectly thought that antibiotics can cure viral
infections, 42% believed that AMR was a problem only for people who take antibiotics
often, and 38% believed that antibiotics weaken the immune system. Students with more
knowledge about antibiotics and AMR were less likely to participate in the types of behaviors that generate AMR, such as taking antibiotics that were not prescribed to them,
sharing their antibiotics with other people, and stopping antibiotics before the full course
has been completed. The percentage of students who reported being worried about AMR
(57%) was significantly lower than the percentage who were worried about climate
changes (88%, p<0.001). Increasing knowledge about AMR among college students may
contribute to raising their concern about AMR and encouraging them to adopt behaviors
that help prevent AMR.
