Background:
The topic of antibiotic resistance is part of the Indian medical under graduate curriculum, yet the newly passed out medical interns finds it difficult to prescribe the appropriate antibiotics when they practice. The impact of teaching about antimicrobial resistance and misuse in medical colleges still remain uncertain.
Aim:
This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness regarding antibiotic resistance among medical interns from a teaching hospital in Kerala, India.
Methods:
This questionnaire-based study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness among medical interns towards antibiotic resistance. The assessment included 20 knowledge questions (max score: 26), five attitude questions (max score: 5), and eight preparedness questions (max score: 8). A passing score of 60% was set for each category, with scores below this threshold considered poor performance. Participants included interns from the 2018 batch, nearing the end of their internship, and those from the 2019 batch, who had just started their training. This study was done from June 2024 to October 2024.
Results:
The study involved 85 interns (43 from 2018 batch and 42 from 2019 batch). Results indicated that 98.8% (84) had a strong understanding of antibiotics, but only 44.7% (38) recognized antibiotic resistance, and 47.1% (40) could analyse clinical scenarios. Alarmingly, 55.3% (47) and 52.9% (45) lacked knowledge in these areas. Overall, 70.6% (60) understood antibiotic use well, while 29.4% (25) did not. Towards attitude, 94.1% (80) had good score, but 43.5% (37) and 37.6% (32) had poor score on over-the-counter and leftover antibiotics. In terms of preparedness, 55.3% (47) felt capable of using antibiotics. Both batches showed similar knowledge (69.8% for 2018 and 71.4% for 2019) and attitude scores (90.7% and 97.6%), but the 2018 batch was significantly more prepared for antibiotic application (74.4% vs. 35.7%, p = 0.0001).
Conclusion:
The study finds that interns had a basic understanding of antibiotics. 2018 batch was better prepared than the 2019 batch, emphasizing the need for practical training. It is suggested to include antimicrobial stewardship education in the undergraduate curriculum to enhance understanding of antibiotic use and resistance.
Key words: Knowledge, Attitude, Level of preparedness, Antimicrobial resistance, Medical interns
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