Level of antibiotic knowledge and misuse of antibiotics by students in Kazan (Russia): a cross-sectional study

Nowadays, antimicrobial resistance is one of the most important threats to public health. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is a primary driver of antibiotic resistance. The aim of the study to assess the level of knowledge and the appropriateness of antibiotic use among students from Kazan universities and to determine the factors associated with nonprescription antibiotic consumption. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted, based on an anonymous survey of students from various universities in Kazan. Data are presented as proportions (%). Binary logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with nonprescription antibiotic use. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were calculated. Results. A total of 260 students participated in the survey (45,4 % of men and 54.6 % of women). Students from Russia accounted for 65,8 %, 34,2 % were from other countries (India, Algeria, Jordan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Israel). 83,1 % of students were from medical and pharmaceutical faculties. The proportion of respondents from medical and pharmaceutical faculties who answered all knowledge-assessment questions correctly was significantly higher compared with students from nonmedical faculties (60,6 % vs. 20,5 %, p < 0.001). Overall, 54,6 % of participants reported using antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. Male gender was associated with non-prescription antibiotic use (aOR 1,824; 95 % CI: 1,060–3,139; p = 0.030). International students were also more likely to use antibiotics without a prescription compared with Russian students (aOR 1,921; 95 % CI: 1,009–3,658; p = 0.047). Only 81.5 % of students take antibiotics strictly according to the doctor's prescription or instructions for use, following the dosage and interval. 49,2 % of students stated that prescriptions were not required when purchasing these medicines. Furthermore, 12,3 % of respondents reported that if a pharmacy refused to sell antibiotics without a prescription, they were able to obtain them from another pharmacy. Conclusion. The obtained results highlight the need to strengthen educational work in the field of rational use of antibiotics, alongside improving the legal regulation of antibiotic supply.

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