Assessment of health and science undergraduate students’ knowledge, attitudes, education and training related to antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in 27 EU/EEA universities

TL;DR

This study assessed health and science students across Europe on their knowledge and attitudes about antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance, finding gaps in awareness and education.

Contribution

The study provides a baseline assessment of AMR knowledge among European health and science undergraduates, highlighting the need for targeted education.

Findings

Students in later years of their degree had higher knowledge scores about antibiotics and AMR.

Students who received training on prudent antibiotic use scored significantly higher in knowledge.

Most students were unaware of AMR awareness campaigns and did not feel they had a key role in addressing AMR.

Abstract

Introduction. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complicated public health challenge. This study aimed to obtain a baseline assessment of undergraduate health and science students’ knowledge and attitudes of antibiotic use, resistance and stewardship across European countries and to evaluate education methods.

Methods. A 43-item cross-sectional multilingual survey of healthcare practitioners and undergraduates studying dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and science subjects was conducted by Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency) in 2018 across 30 EU/EEA countries. Of the 43 questions developed for healthcare workers, a subset of 33 questions directly relevant to students was available for student completion.

Results. A total of 1,222 students from 27 EU/EEA countries participated in the survey, with 50% studying medicine (379/760). The mean score across seven knowledge questions was 6.04 out of 7 (sd, 1.14). Knowledge scores differed by the degree being studied and were higher among students in the later years of their degree programme. Knowledge was significantly higher (P<0.001) in those who had received training on prudent antibiotic use and infection management. Most students had not heard about AMR awareness campaigns, including European Antibiotic Awareness Day, and felt they did not have a key role in addressing AMR.

Conclusion. Although students demonstrated good overall knowledge of antibiotic use and AMR, many lacked awareness of their role in tackling AMR. Designing more effective targeted educational interventions for these students, such as curriculum development and interprofessional education and training, could be beneficial to support appropriate antibiotic use and efforts to tackle AMR.

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