ABSTRACT

Objectives: Misuse of antibiotics, especially in low-and-middle-income countries is a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance. Medical students are antibiotic consumers and prescribers in the future. This study aimed to assess antibiotic knowledge and utilization among medical students in the Republic of Mali, and to determine the relationship between knowledge and health-seeking behavior in relation to antibiotic use.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the only public medical university in Mali. The questionnaire explored knowledge about antibiotics of medical students, and health behaviors for self-limiting illness. Data were analyzed in SPSS.

Results: A total of 446 medical students completed the questionnaire. The average knowledge score was 4.12 out of 10. Students with clinical experience performed higher (4.79 vs 3.74, p< 0.01); 391(87.7%) medical students reported experience of self-limiting diseases in the past year. Of these 197(50.4%) went to see a doctor, 160 (81.2%) of whom were prescribed antibiotics: 151 medical students self-treated, with 121(80.1%) using antibiotics.

Conclusions: This study shows poor knowledge and massive misuse of antibiotics among medical students in Mali. Promoting education on the mechanism of antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance and rational antibiotic use among medical students should be a priority in the medical school curriculum.

摘要

目标：滥用抗生素，尤其是在中低收入国家，是导致抗微生物药物耐药性的主要因素。医学生是未来的抗生素消费者和处方者。本研究旨在评估马里共和国医学生的抗生素知识和使用情况，并确定与抗生素使用相关的知识与求医行为之间的关系。

方法：在马里唯一的公立医科大学进行横断面调查。问卷调查了医学生抗生素知识和自限性疾病的健康行为。数据在SPSS中进行分析。

结果：共有446名医学生完成了问卷。平均知识得分为 4.12（满分 10 分）。有临床经验的学生表现更高（4.79 对 3.74，p < 0.01）；391（87.7%）名医学生报告了过去一年中自限性疾病的经历。其中就医197人（50.4%），其中160人（81.2%）使用抗生素：151名医学生自行治疗，121人（80.1%）使用抗生素。

结论：这项研究表明，马里医学生的抗生素知识匮乏和滥用抗生素。促进医学生关于抗生素作用机制、抗菌素耐药性和合理使用抗生素的教育应成为医学院课程的重点。