GMIT/HSE team present findings of first survey of students' knowledge of antibiotic use

Monday, November 25, 2019 Press Office
Press Release

"Awareness of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in a west of Ireland third-level student population"

The findings of the first Irish survey of college students’ awareness and knowledge of misuse and abuse of antibiotics were presented to the public at an open lecture in GMIT on Monday 18 November, marking European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD). The findings reveal there is a lack of awareness, understanding and knowledge about antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance among this demographic.

The survey “Awareness of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in a west of Ireland third-level student population”  was carried out this year (2019) by Dr Debbie Corcoran, Dr Sheila Faherty and Sandy Bakankio BSc, Department of Biopharmaceutical and Medical Science, GMIT, in collaboration with members of the HSE’s national Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control team (AMRIC) - surveillance scientist Maria Molloy and Communications Manager Audrey Lambourn (HCAI).

The study involved 509 students from across all five GMIT campuses; 70% females and 28% males and 2% preferring not to disclose their gender. Although this study shows there is awareness of correct antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance overall there is a lack of awareness and understanding, illustrating a “surface knowledge”.

The study shows there is misuse of antibiotics, with 35% of the study population using leftover antibiotics, 1.2% of participants’ obtaining antibiotics online and 1.2% obtaining antibiotics abroad. The study also highlighted a lack of knowledge in this demographic in relation to the treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

Dr Sheila Faherty says: “Students favour dissemination methods such as social media and their colleges for health information, particularly in relation to antibiotic resistance. Health care professionals are cited as an important source of information and they have an important role in influencing behavioural changes. The findings would indicate to us that public health campaigns should be tailored to reach targeted audience using words and language people will understand. It would be beneficial to work directly with colleges and student groups to target messaging and behaviour change campaigns to the student population.”

The study findings are to be published next year, but work will continue with a focus on delivering the important message of antibiotic resistance to this demographic nationwide.

Dr Debbie Corcoran says one of the group’s aims is to secure funding to expand the project and target this demographic through a nationwide health promotional campaign involving all Higher Education institutes in tandem with evaluating current campaigns amongst this demographic”.

“The findings of this study are important as this demographic of 18 to 25-year-olds are the future. They are our future parents and educators of the next generation. We need to make sure that they have the correct message on antibiotics. It is absolutely essential that they do have the knowledge and information to allow them to make informed decisions regarding the proper use of antibiotics and that they are familiar with the concept and consequences of antibiotic resistance” adds Dr Corcoran.

The study evaluated awareness and knowledge in a student population in line with the Irish National Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance 2017-2020 (iNAP) strategic objective 1 which centres on awareness and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance. The GMIT-HSE group believes this is the first Irish survey focused on students aged 18 to25, measuring their knowledge of antibiotics and resistance.
According to WHO – “Antibiotic resistance is a global problem, everyone has a role to play in preventing resistance by using antibiotics properly, so that future populations will be able to use antibiotics to treat infections.”                                                    

For information about programmes in the Dept, see: https://www.gmit.ie/biopharmaceutical-and-medical-science/department-biopharmaceutical-and-medical-science

Ends

Galway-Mayo IT, IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT are working towards becoming a Technological University for the west and northwest of Ireland.

Issued by Regina Daly, GMIT Communications Officer, GMIT (Dublin Road) Galway.
Tel. 0035391742826 / 087-9618355 (m) regina.daly@gmit.ie
www.gmit.ie/news