Factors Predicting the Rational Antibiotic Use among Nursing Students

Abstract

           Inappropriate antibiotic use is a major contributing factor of antimicrobial resistance. This descriptive research aimed to examine knowledge, the rational antibiotic use practice, and factors predicting the rational antibiotic use among nursing students at Prachomklao College of Nursing Phetchaburi province. Two-hundred and fifteen nursing students were randomly stratified to the study.  The research instruments consisted of the test and the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze data.

          The results revealed that two-quarters of the sample (54.88%) had knowledge about the rational antibiotic use at the “moderate” level M=2.95, SD=0.73). The rationale antibiotic use practice scores were at the “high” level (M=3.84, SD=0.53). Results of stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that knowledge about the rational antibiotic use and age together explained almost 13% (Adj. R²=.129, p<.05) of the variance in the rational antibiotic use. Knowledge about the rational antibiotic use (B=.258, t=3.719, p<.05), and age (B=.169, t=2.427, p<.05) were statistically significant predictors of the rational antibiotics use.

          Our findings also suggest that nursing colleges should develop the rational antibiotic use learning program or short course for improving nursing students’ knowledge and the rational antibiotic use practice. Ultimately, nursing students can take care of themselves and therefore apply their knowledge to care for their patients and communities.