Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness of Antibiotic Resistance Among University Students and Academics in Syria

Abstract

Antibiotic Resistance (AR) has recently attracted the attention of academics and researchers in the field of medicine to be a significant clinical concern and one of the top global public health and development threats. The purpose of this study is to investigate Syrian students’ and academics’ knowledge and awareness of antibiotic resistance. A quantitative research design was employed by administering a questionnaire to obtain the data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The respondents of this study were 210 university students and academics in Syria. This study highlights significant differences in knowledge and awareness of antibiotic resistance between university students and academic staff in Syria. Findings reveal a notable prevalence of misconceptions, including the erroneous belief that the human body, rather than bacteria, develops immunity to antibiotics, underscoring widespread inappropriate antibiotic use. The findings will help attain valuable insights regarding the level of knowledge and awareness of antibiotic resistance.