LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG PUCPR STUDENTS REGARDING THE RATIONAL USE OF ANTIBIOTICS

INTRODUCTION: The inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance, making it necessary to assess students’ knowledge and practices regarding these medicines. Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge of students from the School of Life and Medical Sciences, the School of Education and Humanities, and the Business School at PUCPR regarding the correct use of antibiotics and to evaluate the possibility of measuring the impact of an awareness campaign. AIMS: To assess the level of knowledge of students from the School of Life and Medical Sciences, the School of Education and Humanities, and the Business School at PUCPR regarding the correct use of antibiotics and to evaluate the possibility of measuring the impact of an awareness campaign. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An adapted questionnaire was administered to students from the three schools. The instrument included questions about sociodemographic characteristics, antibiotic use, acquisition, treatment completion, disposal, antimicrobial resistance, the environment, and One Health. A total of 105 students participated, including 44 from the School of Life and Medical Sciences, 43 from the School of Education and Humanities, and 18 from the Business School. The data were analyzed using absolute and relative frequencies, the chi-square test of independence, and pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: The sample was predominantly female, representing 81.9% of the participants, and consisted mainly of young students. Pharmacies were the main source of antibiotic acquisition, and most participants reported completing the prescribed treatment. However, storing leftover antibiotics for future use was frequent, especially among students from the School of Education and Humanities and the Business School. Students from the School of Life and Medical Sciences showed higher proportions of correct answers regarding viral and fungal infections, the concept of antimicrobial resistance, and the transmission of resistant bacteria. Statistically significant differences were identified among the schools regarding the appropriate time to discontinue treatment, viral and fungal infections, antimicrobial resistance, environmental disposal, and knowledge of One Health. In the Business School, most participants indicated that antibiotics should be discontinued when symptoms improved. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Students showed partial knowledge of the correct use of antibiotics, with greater understanding of bacterial infections and important gaps concerning viral and fungal infections, leftover storage, transmission of resistance, and One Health. The available data did not allow a conclusive assessment of the campaign’s impact. A comparison between questionnaire applications conducted before and after the intervention is necessary.

KEYWORDS: Antibiotics; Antimicrobial resistance; Rational use of medicines; One Health; Health education.