Evaluation of the Knowledge Level and Attitude Towards Rational Antibiotic Use Among Pre-graduation Nursing Students
Melike Mercan Başpınar
Keywords: Antibiotic, nursing, knowledge, attitude
Aim:
The knowledge and attitudes towards rational antibiotic use that physicians and nurses acquire during their pre-graduation education programs are significant, especially in terms of antibiotic resistance development and rational drug use policies. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge levels, attitudes, and frequency of antibiotic use among nursing students trained in the field of nursing.
Method:
This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with nursing students who were accepted to the inpatient wards and operating room units of a tertiary hospital. During training meeting days, a socio-demographic data collection form, questions about experiencing any acute infection in the past year and the frequency of antibiotic prescriptions, and the Antibiotic Use Attitude and Knowledge Scale questions were applied to the participants. The E-PICOS online statistical program was used for data analysis.
Results:
Of the 373 nursing students who participated in the study, 23.9% were male (n=89), 76.1% (n=284) were female, with an average age of 20.6±2.90 years. It was observed that the average attitude score was 21.11±5.13 (median=21), indicating a 52.5% positive level, and the average knowledge score was 5.84±1.92 (median=6), indicating a 75% accuracy level. The frequency of experiencing a respiratory infection in the previous year was 52.0%, the frequency of confirmed COVID-19 with a PCR test was 24.7%, and the frequency of urinary tract infection was 19.4%. 47.7% of the participants were never prescribed antibiotics. A positive correlation was observed between the knowledge and attitude levels of the participants (r=0.127; p=0.014).
Conclusions:
This study has attempted to highlight the individual knowledge and attitude towards rational antibiotic use in education programs and awareness campaigns for nursing students. Despite the high level of knowledge about rational antibiotic use among nursing students, the finding that the attitude level is not at the desired level has been considered important in terms of student education planning.
#2