# Knowledge, attitude and practice towards antimicrobial resistance among final-year undergraduate students in the health sciences at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study examines the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Ethiopian health science students regarding antimicrobial resistance, revealing gaps in understanding and the need for better education.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into AMR awareness among health science students in Ethiopia and identifies the link between knowledge and optimal practices.

## Key findings

- 74.5% of students had moderate knowledge and 81.4% had positive attitudes toward AMR.
- Many students held misconceptions, such as believing antibiotics treat viral infections.
- Students with better knowledge and positive attitudes were more likely to have optimal practices.

## Abstract

Globally, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex and growing public health challenge, primarily driven by the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. Promoting the rational use of these agents is the most effective strategy for preventing AMR. This can be achieved by improving the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of both prescribers and dispensers. Hence, this study will aim to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of final year health sciences students regarding AMR, which helps to rationalize the use of antimicrobials.

To assess KAP towards AMR among final year health sciences students at Addis Ababa University

The research employed a cross-sectional study design, involving 230 final-year health sciences students from various programs, including medicine, pharmacy, nursing, midwifery, anesthesia, medical radiology technology, and medical laboratory sciences. Data were collected by Kobo toolbox online structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 27.

The findings indicated that while 74.5% of participants possessed moderate knowledge and 81.4% displayed positive attitudes, notable gaps were evident. Among the participants, 137(59.6%) mistakenly believed that antibiotics can eliminate viruses, and 166(72.2%) thought antibiotics were effective against colds and flu. Furthermore, concerning practices such as reserving antibiotics for future use 98(42.6 %) and 73(31.7%) participants responded sharing antibiotics with others. Despite these deficiencies, students exhibited a strong awareness of the consequences of AMR 217(94.7%) and acknowledged the role of overuse in fostering resistance 205(89.0%). Attitudes were predominantly positive, with 189(82.2%) advocating for increased AMR education and 192(83.5%) recognizing that improper use contributes to resistance. However, practical behaviors, such as prematurely discontinuing antibiotics 68(29.6 %) and an overall poor practice 52(22.5%) underscored the necessity for enhanced optimized training for health sciences students. Despite no significant link between gender or field of study and KAP, participants with moderate and good AMR knowledge were significantly more likely to have optimal practices than those with poor knowledge (AOR = 9.44 and 3.9, (P = 0.017 and 0.021) respectively). Similarly, a positive attitude significantly increases optimal practice chances by about 3.39 fold (P = 0.012).

The study revealed moderate AMR knowledge and overall positive attitudes, but persistent misconceptions about antibiotic use. Moderate or good knowledge and neutral or positive attitudes were associated with more optimal practices. Suboptimal practices highlight the need for strengthening education, and institutional interventions including short term trainings.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40780-025-00534-2.