Education about antibiotics

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 52 views

Introduction

The use of antibiotics has become a widespread practice in medical treatment. However, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics can lead to serious consequences, including the development of bacterial resistance. This global health threat requires a comprehensive understanding of antibiotics among the general public, including students. The Muslim University of Nusantara (UMN) is one of the institutions that play a crucial role in shaping the knowledge and behavior of its students. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the level of knowledge about antibiotics among UMN students and identify factors that influence their understanding.

Background

Antibiotics are a class of medications that are designed to combat bacterial infections. However, their misuse and overuse can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making them ineffective against infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antibiotic resistance as a global health threat, emphasizing the need for responsible use of antibiotics. Students, as future healthcare professionals, play a critical role in promoting the responsible use of antibiotics.

Methodology

This study employed a descriptive and cross-sectional design to investigate the level of knowledge about antibiotics among UMN students. A total of 250 respondents from six faculties were selected using proportional random sampling techniques. The data collection process took place from May to June 2017. The respondents were asked to complete a questionnaire that assessed their knowledge about antibiotics, including their understanding of antibiotic resistance, the proper use of antibiotics, and the consequences of antibiotic misuse.

Results

The results of this study showed that 52.4% of students had sufficient knowledge about antibiotics, while 27.2% were in the good category, and 20.4% had less knowledge. The frequency of use of antibiotics without a doctor's prescription among students was recorded at 44.8%. Further analysis through the Chi-Square test revealed that the level of student knowledge was influenced by the origin of the faculty (p <0.05), while factors such as sex, age, and place of origin did not have a significant effect (P> 0.05). The relationship between students from the Faculty of Pharmacy and students from the Faculty of Non-Farmasi showed significant results (p <0.05), indicating that students from the Faculty of Pharmacy tend to have better knowledge about antibiotics.

Discussion

The results of this study underscore the importance of education about antibiotics among students, particularly those from the Faculty of Non-Farmasi. Appropriate education can prevent the misuse of antibiotics and help reduce the risk of bacterial resistance. The findings of this study highlight the need for educational institutions and medical personnel to work together to provide comprehensive information about the use of antibiotics. The long-term impact of antibiotic use can endanger public health, emphasizing the need for responsible use of antibiotics.

Conclusion

This study provides an overview of the level of knowledge about antibiotics among UMN students and highlights the urgent need to increase awareness and understanding of the use of antibiotics among the younger generation. The results of this study emphasize the importance of education about antibiotics and the need for collaboration between educational institutions and medical personnel to promote responsible use of antibiotics. By increasing awareness and understanding of antibiotics, we can create a healthier and more responsible society.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Education about antibiotics: Educational institutions should incorporate education about antibiotics into their curricula, particularly for students from the Faculty of Non-Farmasi.
Collaboration between educational institutions and medical personnel: Educational institutions and medical personnel should work together to provide comprehensive information about the use of antibiotics.
Promotion of responsible use of antibiotics: Educational institutions and medical personnel should promote responsible use of antibiotics among students and the general public.
Monitoring and evaluation: The use of antibiotics should be monitored and evaluated to prevent misuse and overuse.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample size: The sample size of this study was limited to 250 respondents, which may not be representative of the entire student population.
Sampling method: The sampling method used in this study was proportional random sampling, which may not be the most effective method for selecting respondents.
Data collection method: The data collection method used in this study was a questionnaire, which may not be the most effective method for assessing knowledge about antibiotics.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Investigating the relationship between knowledge about antibiotics and behavior: Future research should investigate the relationship between knowledge about antibiotics and behavior, including the use of antibiotics without a doctor's prescription.
Developing effective education programs: Future research should develop effective education programs about antibiotics that can be implemented in educational institutions.
Monitoring and evaluating the use of antibiotics: Future research should monitor and evaluate the use of antibiotics to prevent misuse and overuse.

Conclusion

Q: What is the importance of antibiotics in medical treatment?

A: Antibiotics are a class of medications that are designed to combat bacterial infections. They are essential in medical treatment, particularly for patients with bacterial infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and sepsis.

Q: What are the consequences of antibiotic misuse?

A: The misuse and overuse of antibiotics can lead to serious consequences, including the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can make infections harder to treat. This can also lead to increased healthcare costs, longer hospital stays, and even death.

Q: Why is it essential to educate students about antibiotics?

A: Students, as future healthcare professionals, play a critical role in promoting the responsible use of antibiotics. Education about antibiotics can help students understand the importance of antibiotics, the consequences of misuse, and how to use them effectively.

Q: What are the key findings of the study on student knowledge about antibiotics?

A: The study found that 52.4% of students had sufficient knowledge about antibiotics, while 27.2% were in the good category, and 20.4% had less knowledge. The frequency of use of antibiotics without a doctor's prescription among students was recorded at 44.8%.

Q: What factors influence student knowledge about antibiotics?

A: The study found that the origin of the faculty (p <0.05) was a significant factor influencing student knowledge about antibiotics, while factors such as sex, age, and place of origin did not have a significant effect (P> 0.05).

Q: What is the relationship between student knowledge and the frequency of antibiotic use without a doctor's prescription?

A: The study found a significant relationship between student knowledge and the frequency of antibiotic use without a doctor's prescription. Students with better knowledge about antibiotics were less likely to use antibiotics without a doctor's prescription.

Q: What are the implications of the study for educational institutions and medical personnel?

A: The study highlights the importance of education about antibiotics among students, particularly those from the Faculty of Non-Farmasi. Educational institutions and medical personnel should work together to provide comprehensive information about the use of antibiotics and promote responsible use.

Q: What are the recommendations for promoting responsible use of antibiotics among students?

A: The study recommends that educational institutions and medical personnel work together to provide comprehensive information about the use of antibiotics, promote responsible use, and monitor and evaluate the use of antibiotics to prevent misuse and overuse.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including a limited sample size, a sampling method that may not be representative of the entire student population, and a data collection method that may not be the most effective method for assessing knowledge about antibiotics.

Q: What are the future research directions for investigating student knowledge about antibiotics?

A: Future research should focus on investigating the relationship between knowledge about antibiotics and behavior, developing effective education programs about antibiotics, and monitoring and evaluating the use of antibiotics to prevent misuse and overuse.