E-ISSN 2231-3206 | ISSN 2320-4672
 

Original Research
Online Published: 04 Jan 2025


A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance

Kunjumary Scariah, Keerthi Krishna, Boney Rajan, Puzhikunnathu Vinod Kumar.


Abstract
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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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Scariah K, Krishna K, Rajan B, Kumar PV. A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2025; 15(1): 63-68. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2025.v15.i1.11


Web Style

Scariah K, Krishna K, Rajan B, Kumar PV. A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=227558 [Access: February 12, 2025]. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2025.v15.i1.11


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Scariah K, Krishna K, Rajan B, Kumar PV. A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2025; 15(1): 63-68. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2025.v15.i1.11



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Scariah K, Krishna K, Rajan B, Kumar PV. A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2025), [cited February 12, 2025]; 15(1): 63-68. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2025.v15.i1.11



Harvard Style

Scariah, K., Krishna, . K., Rajan, . B. & Kumar, . P. V. (2025) A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 15 (1), 63-68. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2025.v15.i1.11



Turabian Style

Scariah, Kunjumary, Keerthi Krishna, Boney Rajan, and Puzhikunnathu Vinod Kumar. 2025. A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 15 (1), 63-68. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2025.v15.i1.11



Chicago Style

Scariah, Kunjumary, Keerthi Krishna, Boney Rajan, and Puzhikunnathu Vinod Kumar. "A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 15 (2025), 63-68. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2025.v15.i1.11



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Scariah, Kunjumary, Keerthi Krishna, Boney Rajan, and Puzhikunnathu Vinod Kumar. "A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 15.1 (2025), 63-68. Print. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2025.v15.i1.11



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Scariah, K., Krishna, . K., Rajan, . B. & Kumar, . P. V. (2025) A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and level of preparedness of medical interns in a teaching hospital from India on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 15 (1), 63-68. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2025.v15.i1.11