INTRODUCTION:

‘Antibiotics’ as the word implies (Anti- against, Biotics- living components) are used against the ones causing ill effects on human and animal health. The production of antibiotics is from microorganisms, and these originated products play a key role to inhibit or demolish the growth of bacteria at lower concentrations¹. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses as they are abiotics ². Antibiotics are useful as preventive and curative forms for many ailments³. They can also be considered as life-saving drugs in many situations ⁴. They are classified into broad spectrum antibiotics (effective against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria) and narrow spectrum antibiotics (effective against either gram positive or gram negative bacteria).

Resistance of this kind of drug can cause a huge impact on the drug users, and this occurs when the antibiotics lose the ability to show their actions at required therapeutic concentrations⁵. The main reason for the resistance of antibiotics is their overuse^5,6,7. This overuse is caused due to self- medication, physician prescription for unrelated ailments, Over The Counter (OTC) medication use⁴, usage on a suggestion by non healthcare persons, old prescriptions, patient’s stubbornness, advertisements, etc^8,9. In the process of resistance, the bacteria which is surrounded by the antibiotic develops antigens against the drug which destroys it giving the organism protection. And in the meantime, the bacteria develop recessive genes to tackle the particular antibiotic which are even shared with other surrounding bacteria making them resistant too. In this way more complex and resisted forms named ‘Superbugs’ are being developed. Due to resistance disadvantages like higher dose requirement, increased toxicity levels, longer hospitalization, economic burden^10,11, finally death are arising.

The present study aims to appraise the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards use, and resistance among the engineering students Of West Bengal.

METHODOLOGY

Study design and setting: -

In this present Web survey study, the response is collected and recorded related to Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Use and Antibiotic Resistance among the Engineering Students.

{After assuring that all the identification data given by participants remains confidential and by taking a voluntary consent agreed by him/her} By developing and spreading the Google form link using a digital platform i.e; via Facebook, Email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp etc. These google forms contained easily understandable questionnaires related to Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Use and Antibiotic Resistance among the Engineering Students of West Bengal.

Measures:

In this present Web survey study, the questionnaire related to the Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Use and Antibiotic Resistance among the Engineering Students Of West Bengal was formulated to assemble the data from the Of West Bengal Engineering background students. The questionnaire sub-divided into two sections (1) is about the consent of participants and (2) consists of questions regarding the Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Use and Antibiotic Resistance among the Engineering Students.

Data collection tools and Technique:

Well Structured questionnaire was formulated in English language and filled by the participants themselves. Responses were recorded using Google Drive.

Period and location Of the Study:

This web-based survey study is done during the period of 10th January to 10th May and conducted at Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur; after getting voluntary consent approval from the participants.

Survey population:

Total 159 Participants gave their voluntary consent to participate in this web-based survey study and a total of 159 responses have been recorded in Google Drive.

Criteria for selection:

The selection criteria of this web-based study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria:

Inclusion criteria:

· Engineering students

· Must be studying in any city of West Bengal

· Students who agreed to give his/her voluntary consent for the participation in this study.

Exclusion criteria -

· Other than Engineering Background students.

· Out Of West Bengal

· Participants who did not understand the google form.

· Students who did not give their voluntary consent to participate.

Data analysis:

All the recorded data was analyzed using percentages.

RESULTS:

This web-based survey study involved 159 students. The background and participants' responses related to Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Use and Antibiotic Resistance among the Engineering Students were explained in the form of Graphs, Percentages, Frequencies.

Consent from Participant:

All 159 Participants gave his/her voluntary consent after assuring that all the identification data given by the participants remains confidential are shown in figure 1.

Q. I understand that my participation in the study is voluntary and I have the right to withdraw at any time without giving any reason, without my medical or legal rights being affected. I have been informed about details of the study in the language which is best understood. I am hereby giving my voluntary consent for the participation in this study.

Gender Distribution: -

The data shown in figure 2 gives us the information that 135 [85%] Male and 24 [15%] female students have participated in this study.

Age Distribution: -

The age distribution of the participants is shown in figure 3. Majority of the participants are in between the age of 25-28 Years.

Current class of study: -

The current class of study distribution of the participants is shown in figure 4. Majority of the participants are from PG courses.

Data shown in table 1: The number of answers of those questions in YES (or) NO fashion related to Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Use and Antibiotic Resistance.

QUESTIONS (N=159)	Yes	No
Have you heard of the term "Antibiotics Resistance"?	149	10
Is the efficacy / effect / action better if the antibiotics are newer and Costly?	142	17
Can You Use antibiotics if you have a Common cold or Fever?	142	17
Is it okay to stop taking antibiotics without completing the course if you are feeling well?	143	16
Are there any bacteria beneficial for our health?	90	69
Is there any abuse of antibiotics at present?	151	8
Is antibiotic resistance being a problem worldwide?	153	6
Do you think frequent use of antibiotics will decrease efficacy of treatment when using the antibiotic again?	154	5
Is awareness required for usage of antibiotics?	156	3

Data shown in table 2: The answers of those questions in True (or) False fashion related to Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Use and Antibiotic Resistance.

QUESTIONS (N=159)	True	False
1. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections?	158	1
2. Can an antibiotic treat or cure viral infections?	145	14
3. Adverse effects of antibiotics are reduced by using more than one antibiotic at the same time?	142	17

Data shown in table 3: The answers of those questions in YES, NO (or) MAY BE fashion related to Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Use and Antibiotic Resistance.

QUESTIONS (N=159)	Yes	No	Maybe
1. Do antibiotics produce any Side Effects?	145	4	10
2. Do you pay attention to the expiry date of antibiotics before using it?	153	3	3
3. Do you think Self-medication is harmful to your health?	60	53	46

DISCUSSION:

As the use of antibiotics is increasing, resistance caused by them is also intensifying¹² Therefore, the need for awareness regarding antibiotic resistance among people has become mandatory¹³. The appropriate effect of antibiotics depends upon the prescriber, retailer and the patient themselves. Prescriber’s influence on the antibiotic effect depends on some factors like unwanted antibiotic prescription, antibiotic prescription for viral infections, profit concerns, patient demands, etc^14,15; whereas patient factors include self-medication of antibiotics, usage of antibiotics from previous prescriptions or other’s prescription, withdrawal from course completion, etc^15,16; with concern of retailer’s factors to satisfy patients with bigger list of drugs, profit concerns, etc^17,18. A study conducted in UAE by Ammar jairoun, et al. on University students shows that there is a high rate of self- medication with a KAP score of 56% ¹⁹. The knowledge regarding antibiotic prescribing was low by about a mean score of (4.9/8) in a study conducted by Kamala Thriemer, et al. on medical doctors and students^20,21,22. A percentage of 68% has agreed with the statement that antibiotic resistance is a main and serious issue regarding public health in a survey conducted by Afzal Khan A K, et al. among medical students of a Southern Indian teaching hospital^23,24,25.

According to our study, a total of 159 participants have participated, out of these 135 are male participants and 24 female; 50 (31.4%) having pursued bachelor’s degree, and 57 (35. 9%) are presently students of master's and 52 (32.7) are pursuing Ph.D. degree in engineering background. Total 149 (93.70%) participants heard of the term "Antibiotics Resistance". A whole of 153 (96.20%) participants have agreed that antibiotics resistance is a worldwide problem. Out of 159 students, 60 (38%) participants think Self-medication may harm one's health. Then a percentage of 96.90% participants think that frequent use of antibiotics will decrease efficacy of treatment when re-usage of antibiotics becomes mandatory.

This web-based survey study was done during the period of 10th January to 10th May 2021 and conducted at Of West Bengal. In which Engineering students, who must be studying Of West Bengal, and the students who agreed to give his/her voluntary consent for the participation were considered as inclusion criteria.

There is a difference in KAP levels in different areas of study conducted. This explains the level of understanding about antibiotic use and resistance in those particular areas.

CONCLUSION:

There is a need to conduct educational campaigns regarding self-medication for improving awareness in the students. Presentations, case- based explanations, posters, etc can be of great use to explain the need for awareness. The results of knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance and consequences of frequent use of antibiotics in the Engineering students were satisfactory. Although there are some shortcomings in particular aspects it can be managed in discussions. And the discussions conducted should be effective in order to impact the participants to avoid any causes that may lead to antibiotic resistance as the present student generations are the future citizens and they are to be preserved. Along with awareness created in students, enforcement regards to antibiotics its usage and resistance can be done at national level to reduce self-medication issues. By doing all these we can improve the behavior, attitude of students towards antibiotic usage.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I genuinely express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Upama N. Trivedi, Associate Professor Department of Pharmacology, Indubhai Patel College of Pharmacy and Research Centre, Dharmaj Anand Gujarat, for her valuable guidance, constant encouragement, Motivational support and inspiration throughout the period of this work.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.

SOURCE OF FUNDING:

This review did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

CONTRIBUTION TO AUTHORS:

ANJ and UNT Conception and ANJ, BSN and DNJ Writing of manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Received on 19.08.2021 Modified on 07.09.2021

Res. J. Pharma. Dosage Forms and Tech.2022; 14(1):50-54.

DOI: 10.52711/0975-4377.2022.00009