Knowledge of Antibiotic Resistance and Prescription Practices among Students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study
Florence Chinyere Onyenweaku
Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria and Diagnostic Laboratory Unit, Medical Centre, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel O. Ekundayo
Department of Biotechnology, Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.
E.O. Nwankwo
Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Johnson Okwudili Nweke
Diagnostic Laboratory Unit, Medical Centre, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria and Department of Epidemiology and Evidence-based Medicine, F.F. Erisman Institute of Public Health, I.M. Sechnov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu
*
Department of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Antibiotic resistance remains a critical global health challenge, fueled by widespread misuse and irrational prescription practices. University students are an influential demographic, as their health behaviors can shape broader antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
Objective: This study evaluated the knowledge of antibiotic resistance and prescription practices among students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 440 students, with 409 valid responses analyzed. Data on socio-demographics, awareness of antibiotic resistance, and prescription practices were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analyses employed chi-square tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The majority of respondents were aged 16–25 years (82.9%), predominantly female (59.7%), and in their first year of study (63.6%). Overall, 64.3% reported awareness of antibiotic resistance. Awareness increased with age, peaking at 100% among students above 40 years, with a significant association between age and awareness (p = 0.0499). Gender, level of study, and state of origin were not significantly associated with awareness (p > 0.05). Students who obtained antibiotics through medical prescriptions demonstrated significantly higher awareness compared to those who practiced self-medication (p < 0.001). The most frequently used antibiotics were ampicillin (22.5%), ciprofloxacin (21.0%), and amoxicillin (15.9%), while some respondents incorrectly reported using antimalarials as antibiotics.
Conclusion: Although awareness of antibiotic resistance among students was moderate, notable knowledge gaps and unsafe practices persist, particularly among younger students and those relying on non-prescription sources. Targeted health education, integration of antimicrobial stewardship into university curricula, and stricter enforcement of prescription-only antibiotic policies are urgently needed to reduce misuse and improve awareness in this population.
Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, prescription practices, self-medication, university students, Nigeria