Knowledge levels and awareness about rational antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance before and after graduation: A cross-sectional study conducted in Malatya province, Turkey
Abstract Background Irrational use of antibiotics may adversely affect the treatment outcomes or even lead to increased antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to evaluate the level of theoretical knowledge of rational antibiotic use and awareness about antimicrobial resistance among the senior students at a medical school and the family physicians.Methods This study was cross-sectional research and was carried out between 01 February-30 April 2019 in Malatya province. Two-hundred twenty-five senior students in the Inonu University Medical School (Group 1) and 230 actively-working family physicians in Malatya primary healthcare services who were found eligible (Group 2). Power analysis was calculated as the minimum of 240 participants when considering a proportion difference of 0.18 between the groups, a type I error of 0.05 and a type II error of 0.20. A p<0.05 value was considered to be statistically significant.Results Researchers argued that penal sanctions can be more effective by developing strict use policies to raise awareness of resistance to antimicrobials. Group 2 had higher self-confidence, and it was also concluded that they forgot their theoretical antibiotic knowledge over time, and they could not follow the current information because of the intensity of their working life. Both groups stated that post-graduation training could be used effectively for reducing antimicrobial resistance.Conclusions This study attempted to increase awareness to determine the difference in theoretical knowledge levels and behavior models of physicians before and after graduation. Sustainable antibiotic training for doctors after graduation will contribute positive effects to antimicrobial resistance and rational use of antibiotics.