https://imedsciences.com/ editor_ijims@hotmail.com
ISSN: 2394-4137 (E) 2394-6318 (P)

IJIMS.2018.136

Type of Article: Original Research

Volume 5; Issue 9: 2018

Page No.: 746-751

DOI: 10.16965/ijims.2018.136

PROMOTING AWARENESS ABOUT PROPER USE OF ANTIMICROBIALS AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

Mangesh Bankar *1, Ratnesh Gajbhiye 2.

*1 Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, ANIIMS, Port Blair, India.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, ANIIMS, Port Blair, India.

Address for correspondence: Dr. Ratnesh Gajbhiye, Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, ANIIMS, Port Blair, India. E-Mail: drmbankar@gmail.com

Abstract:

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is increasing in India due to lack of knowledge about proper use of antimicrobials among general population. Proper knowledge of antimicrobial use is necessary before an individual has responsibility for using or buying such medicines. Unlike most other countries, education programs to promote appropriate use of antimicrobials are lacking in Indian Schools. The objectives of this study were to know the base level knowledge and to evaluate the efficacy of a teaching intervention to improve students’ knowledge regarding proper antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: This was pre and post test design study using a questionnaire containing 10 questions. Total 500 school going children from three different schools were enrolled. Informed consent and ethics committee approval obtained. Intervention in the form of daily lectures for 15-20 minutes given for two weeks followed by post test was given. The statistical analysis was done by using SPSS version 15 and McNemar-Bowker Test was used to compare the data of post-tests to the baseline & P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Out of 500 school children participated in this study, 46% were boys and 54% were girls. Results of pre-test suggest that children’s knowledge regarding antimicrobial resistance was extremely insufficient and they were having several misconceptions about antimicrobial usage. Statistically significant improvement observed regarding the knowledge of proper use of antimicrobials after the intervention.

Conclusion: The strategy used in this study seems promising and correct dissemination of information on antimicrobials can change their attitudes and behaviours regarding antimicrobial use. We believe it can be replicated in other schools, complemented by experimental activities, to promote long-term retention of knowledge.

Key words: Antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial resistance awareness, appropriate use of antibiotics, high school students.

REFERENCES

  1. Wolf J. Antibiotic resistance threatens the efficacy of prophylaxis. Lancet Infectious Diseases 2015; 15: 1368–9.
  2. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The bacterial challenge: Time to react. A call to narrow the gap between multi-drug resistant bacteria in the EU and the development of new antibacterial agents. EMEA/576176/2009, 2009.
  3. Multicenter study on self-medication and self-prescription in six Latin American countries. Drug Utilization Research Group, Latin America. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1997; 61(4): 488–93.
  4. Schrier, L., Hadjipanayis, A., del Torso, S. et al. European Antibiotic Awareness Day 2017: training the next generation of health care professionals in antibiotic stewardship. Eur J Pediatr (2018); 177(2): 279-283.
  5. Kotwani A, Wattal C, Joshi PC, Holloway K. Knowledge and perceptions on antibiotic use and resistance among high school students and teachers in New Delhi, India: A qualitative study. Indian J Pharmacol. 2016 Jul-Aug;48(4):365-371.
  6. Almeida Santimano NM, Foxcroft DR. Poor health knowledge and behaviour is a risk for the spread of antibiotic resistance: survey of higher secondary school students in Goa, India. Perspect Public Health. 2017 Mar;137(2):109-113.
  7. Fonseca MJ1, Santos CL, Costa P, Lencastre L, Tavares F. Increasing awareness about antibiotic use and resistance: a hands-on project for high school students. PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e44699.
  8. Milandri M.Children’s views of microbes – Current beliefs about bacteria in Italian grade school children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2004;23:1077–1080.
  9. Simonneaux L. A study of pupils’ conceptions and reasoning in connection with ‘microbes’, as a contribution to research in biotechnology education. Int J Sci Educ 2000;22: 619–644.
  10. Hämeen-Anttila K, Bush PJ.Healthy children’s perceptions of medicines: A review. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy 2008: 4(2);Pages 98-114.
  11. Zyoud SG, Taha AA, Araj KF, Abahri IA, Sawalha AF, Sweileh WM, et. al. Parental knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use for acute upper respiratory tract infections in children: a cross-sectional study in Palestine. BMC Pediatr. 2015; 15: 176.
  12. Raghunath D. Emerging antibiotic resistance in bacteria with special reference to India. Journal of Biosciences 2008; 33: 593–603.
  13. Pan DS, Huang JH, Lee MH, Yu Y, Chen MI, et. al. Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards antibiotic use in upper respiratory tract infections among patients seeking primary health care in Singapore.BMC Fam Pract. 2016 Nov 3;17(1):148.
  14. Cantarero-Arévalo L, Hallas MP, Kaae S. Parental knowledge of antibiotic use in children with respiratory infections: a systematic review.Int J Pharm Pract. 2017 Feb;25(1):31-49. doi: 10.1111/ijpp.12337.
  15. Anita Kotwani, Chand Wattal, Shashi Katewa, P C Joshi, Kathleen Holloway; Factors influencing primary care physicians to prescribe antibiotics in Delhi India, Family Practice, Volume 27, Issue 6, 1 December 2010, Pages 684–690.

Download Full Text TOC