Date of Conferral
2021
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Health
Advisor
Michael Schwab
Abstract
The global threat of antibiotic resistant infection has resulted in health organizations to compile an antibiotic stewardship program, in which the education of current/future medical prescribers and farmers is central for the preservation of current and future antimicrobial treatments. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the knowledge and perceived threat of antibiotic and antibiotic resistance, as well as the perceived benefit of antibiotic stewardship, among undergraduate students in biology and agriculture at a state university in Kansas. Framed by the health belief model, a cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured online survey of 136 undergraduate students. A chi-square analysis was used to assess the differences (if any) between the respondents in their knowledge and perceptions of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and antibiotic stewardship. Results showed that, although undergraduates in agriculture perceived antibiotic resistance as less threatening than undergraduates in biology/prehealth, both undergraduate groups are knowledgeable of the problem and would like more academic education on the issue. Knowledge and perceptions of antibiotic resistance and education increase as undergraduate move up in their class classification, suggesting that as students complete their undergraduate academic career, they would like to be better educated on antibiotic usage and risks before starting their professional career. The findings of this study created a good foundation to initiate a conversation on the curriculum development to meet ASP goals and objectives. Education on the role of antibiotics is relevant to further control the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and protect antimicrobial based treatment. This study contributes to an ongoing international effort to educate future prescribers on the importance of antibiotics in medicine and reduce antibiotic resistance.
Recommended Citation
Da Silva Carvalho, Claudia Maria, "Knowledge and Perceptions of Antibiotic Resistance Stewardship Among Prehealth and Agriculture Students" (2021). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 9715.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/9715
