Exploring Antibiotic Use and Stewardship Awareness Among Turkish University Students

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat driven by the misuse of antibiotics. Understanding students’ knowledge is vital for strengthening antimicrobial stewardship (AMS); however, gaps remain across disciplines. This study aimed to explore undergraduate students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). A qualitative study design was employed, involving face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with students from various faculties, conducted between May and July 2022. A total of 50 students from four different faculties were included in the study, and the data were analyzed using NVivo for thematic analysis. An inductive thematic analysis approach was utilized to identify key themes, subthemes, and categories. A total of 50 participants were interviewed: medicine (n = 15), nursing (n = 13), pharmacy (n = 12), and dentistry (n = 10), with a mean interview duration of 17 minutes. The majority were male (n = 30; 60%), and most participants were between 18 and 22 years of age (n = 28; 56%). While most participants demonstrated a basic understanding of the term “antibiotic,” many lacked detailed knowledge regarding its appropriate use, including correct selection and duration of therapy. Notably, students from the nursing faculty exhibited lower levels of awareness regarding antibiotic resistance and safe antibiotic use, whereas students from the medical faculty demonstrated comparatively greater understanding. In conclusion, the findings highlight a moderate level of knowledge and awareness across all faculties regarding antibiotic use and resistance. These results emphasize the need for targeted educational interventions to improve undergraduate students’ understanding of antimicrobial stewardship principles, particularly among nursing students, and to enhance their engagement with AMS practices.