Knowledge and attitudes toward rational antibiotic use among non-health-related undergraduate students in Lampung, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Yasinda Oktariza; Uswatun Hasanah; Juwana Janu; Delladari Mayefis

doi:10.20884/1.api.2025.13.1.18573

Yasinda Oktariza Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 35365, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5010-8616
Uswatun Hasanah Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 35365, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0009-0000-9298-7540
Juwana Janu Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 35365, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0009-0008-2092-8363
Delladari Mayefis Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung 35365, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0966-3049

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.api.2025.13.1.18573

Abstract

Background: Inappropriate antibiotic use drives antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global health threat. Non-health-related undergraduate students represent a population with limited formal health education yet significant potential to influence community antibiotic use behaviors.

Objective: This study assessed knowledge and attitudes toward rational antibiotic use among non-health-related undergraduate students at Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA), Lampung, Indonesia, and examined the relationship between the two.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 288 non-health-related undergraduate students from three faculties at ITERA between July and September 2025. Data were collected using a validated, adapted questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis and one-way ANOVA tests, and Spearman's rank correlation were performed.

Results: Mean knowledge and attitude scores were 59.98 (SD = 20.20) and 59.23 (SD = 20.82), respectively, both in the moderate category. Key misconceptions included beliefs that antibiotics treat viral infections (48.97%), reduce fever (45.52%), and can be purchased online without a prescription (62.76%). A moderate-to-strong positive correlation was identified between knowledge and attitude (rho = 0.650; 95% CI: 0.575 to 0.714; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Non-health-related undergraduate students at ITERA demonstrated moderate yet insufficient antibiotic knowledge and attitudes. University-level educational interventions are warranted to improve antibiotic literacy and support AMR containment efforts.

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