Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antimicrobial resistance among undergraduate students at a large public university in 2020

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among college students.

Participants: Undergraduate students at a large public university in the United States.

Methods: Anonymous online questionnaire completed in early 2020.

Results: While 82% of participants knew that resistant pathogens can spread between people, 38% believed that antibiotics weaken the immune system and 32% believed that AMR is only a problem for people who take antibiotics often. Many undergraduates have or would stop taking antibiotics before completing a full course because of side effects (44%) or feeling better (38%), and some would take (23%) or share (13%) antibiotics that had not been prescribed to the recipient. Only 57% are worried about AMR, compared to 88% who are worried about global climate change.

Conclusions: Health education about antimicrobial stewardship and other global health issues must improve knowledge, perceptions, health behaviors, self-efficacy, and social norms.