Investigating the Effectiveness of Targeted Educational Intervention on Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Antibiotic Use and Resistance among Public Health Students in a Semi-Government University of Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing health issue worldwide. Misuse and overuse are the main drivers that make it even more worse. Aim of the Study This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of targeted educational intervention regarding antibiotic use and resistance among public health students in a semi-government university of Islamabad, Pakistan. Methodology Interventional (pre-post) study design comprised of 84 participants though systematic sampling technique was used, where every 2nd student from the list was selected for this study. First four semester students of BS Public Health at the Bahria University, Islamabad Campus were eligible for this study. Students were bound to attend at least 03 out of 04 sessions. Data was collected through class representatives and intervention was implemented of one month consisted of 04 sessions. Structured questionnaire was used from the published study and were modified and validated. Intervention course outline was made by integrating the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Knowledge, attitudes and practices were categorized according to the Bloom’s Cut off point. This research has been carried out in highly ethically standards. Descriptive and analytical analysis was carried out. McNemar test was used to assess the change in proportions before and after the intervention. Wilcoxon-sign rank test was used to analyze the overall effectiveness of the intervention on student’s KAP. The effectiveness of educational intervention between KAP groups, age groups, male and female and semesters was compared using Stuart Maxwell test/ Marginal homogeneity test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data has been analyzed through IBM SPSS version 27. Results The results revealed a significant change after intervention. High level of knowledge increased from 34.5% to 73.8%. Positive attitudes increased from 8.3% to 81% and positive practices were rise from 0% to 52.4% with p-value of <0.001, 0.000 and 0.000 respectively. The overall, median was increased from 11 in pre intervention phase to 21 in post intervention phase with p-value of <0.001. In conclusion, this targeted educational intervention was effective in enhancing knowledge, attitudes and practices score among public health students in a semi-government university of Islamabad, Pakistan.