Abstract

Misconceptions about the use and effectiveness of antibiotics contribute to the persistence of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to gather information on appropriate use of antibiotics in students from the Veterinary Medicine College (G1, n = 119) and from High School (G2, n = 220), from Bari (Italy) through a questionnaire. The response rate was 89% in G1 and 89.5% in G2. Fifty‑five % of college students and 79% of high‑school students had taken antibiotics in the last 12 months. Unsurprisingly, high‑school students had more misconceptions about antibiotics than G1. The majority of misconceptions stated thati) antibiotics kill viruses (OR 8.4, CI 4.8‑14.7, p < 0.001); ii) they are active against cold and flu (OR 4.6, CI 2.6‑8.1, p < 0.001); iii) it is possible to purchase antibiotics without a medical prescription (OR 7.3, CI 4.3‑12.5, p < 0.001). Information campaigns among young people are urgently needed to reduce misuse and to improve knowledge on antibiotic.

Details

Title
Basic knowledge and misconceptions on antibiotic use: a comparative survey between Veterinary College and High School students in Bari (Italy)
Author
Corrente, Marialaura; Trotta, Adriana; Marinaro, Mariarosaria; Cavalli, Alessandra; Lovreglio, Piero; Cirilli, Margie; Buonavoglia, Domenico
Pages
127-134
Section
Paper
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale
ISSN
0505401X
e-ISSN
18281427
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2654299500
Copyright
© 2021. Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the associated terms available at https://www.veterinariaitaliana.izs.it/index.php/VetIt/about