KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS ANTIBIOTIC USE, RESISTANCE AND PREVENTION OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AMONG UNIMAS

Background: The rise of antibiotic resistance poses a global threat to the healthcare system. Nursing students, who will work as registered nurses in the future, play an important role in preventing the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. This requires student nurses to possess correct knowledge and a positive attitude towards antibiotic use, resistance, and the prevention of antibiotic resistance. Objectives: The purposes of the study are to assess the level of knowledge and attitude on antibiotic use and prevention of antibiotic resistance and to examine the association between the knowledge and attitude among UNIMAS nursing undergraduate students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used to conduct this study among undergraduate nursing students at University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). A random sampling method was used to select the respondents for this study. Data was collected using an online google form, which was disseminated through WhatsApp. Results: A total of 162 students participated in this study with a mean age of 21.78. The results show the majority of the respondents demonstrated poor knowledge and a good attitude towards antibiotic use, resistance, and prevention of antibiotic resistance. There was no statistically significant association between knowledge and attitude towards antibiotic use, resistance, and prevention of antibiotic resistance. Conclusion: Enhancing health literacy regarding antibiotic usage, as well as understanding and awareness of antibiotic resistance, should be a high priority for UNIMAS undergraduate nursing students