Knowledge and Practice of Antimicrobial use for Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections among Female Medical Students in Enugu, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study
Chikaodili Erica Odoh *
Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria.
Iheoma Amara Ochiobi
Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria.
Chukwuebuka Obiakalusi
Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria.
Linda Uzo Amara
Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria.
Chika N. Onwasigwe
Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria and Institute of Public Health, University of Nigeria Nsukka (Enugu Campus), Enugu, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a significant clinical problem empirically treated with antibiotics that could worsen the spread of antibiotics resistance.
Objective: We described the knowledge, attitude, and treatment practices of UTI among female medical students in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey involving female medical students at Enugu State University of Technology, in Enugu, Nigeria was conducted in October 2023. Overall, 180 students were enrolled. The questionnaires were constructed after systematically reviewing the literature. The data were analyzed by calculating frequencies and means.
Results: Our study sample includes 174 female medical students (Response rate, 96.7%). Most of the students are aged 20–24 years (63.2%), with mean (standard deviation) of 23.5 (± 4.6) years, single (86.8%), Igbo (97.1%), and Christian (97.7%). Most students (166 students, 95.4%) had adequate knowledge of UTI, but a minority of students (45.5%) sought treatment from a trained healthcare provider for proper laboratory investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of their previous UTI episodes. Among those that did not seek care with trained healthcare providers, most, 27 (75.0%), self-treated. Most students (27 students, 90.0%) positively practiced completion of their prescribed drugs. The most commonly drugs used for self-medication of UTI were Amoxicillin, Canesten cream, Ciprofloxacin, and Gentamycin.
Conclusion: Although our study shows female medical students have adequate knowledge about UTIs, their treatment practices reveal that strengthening educational efforts on antibiotic stewardship is essential to ensure that medical students not only understand the theoretical aspects of UTIs but also apply best practices in their treatment. Our study suggests the need for improved education on antibiotics stewardship to address the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and ensuring effective treatment of UTIs in the future.
Keywords: Antibiotics resistance, knowledge, attitudes, practice, urinary tract infections, medical students, Nigeria