Knowledge and attitudes toward antimicrobial use, resistance, and stewardship among final-year veterinary students: a multinational cross-sectional survey
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: This study assessed final-year veterinary students' knowledge and attitudes regarding antimicrobial use (AMU), antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Methods: Students were invited to complete an online semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 907 participants from 7 countries and 43 veterinary educational establishments (VEEs) completed the questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The total knowledge and attitude scores for each student were calculated, and a general average was obtained. Results: AMR was mostly taught as an addendum under the core subjects of microbiology and pharmacology. Students exhibited low AMS knowledge scores (mean score 32.1 ± 22.7), but higher scores for positive attitudes towards reducing AMR (64.2 ± 25.2). Only 6.6% could name at least one national regulation guiding AMU in their countries, while 30-50% of the students knew that antibiotics were inappropriate for various viral infections. About 42% considered it acceptable to use antimicrobials for growth promotion and prophylaxis. Students exhibited positive attitudes towards using antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and 50.1% considered improved veterinary education very important for reducing AMR. Multivariate analyses determined that students' countries of origin were significantly associated with their knowledge and attitudes; for example, Nigerian students were more likely to have good knowledge than Egyptian students, (aOR: 2.372, 95% CI:1.085 - 5.551), while Indian students were less likely (aOR: 0.144, 95% CI: 0.063 - 0.343). Discussion: Greater curricula emphasis should be placed on national and international AMS guidelines. Concepts related to AMR and AMS may be better retained if taught as a standalone module. Further studies should be conducted across countries where students have greater knowledge to evaluate curricula and potentially highlight replicable models for the inclusion of AMR and AMS.
Source: Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Authors: Mahmoud Eltholth, Jadesola Juliana Ajao, Shrikrishna Isloor, Ismail Ayoade Odetokun, Ali Raza, Médiha Khamassi Khbou, Dominic Moran, Ilhem Zouyed, Jennifer Cole, Jonathan Rushton, Nagendra R. Hegde, Alison Prendiville, Ghazal Nabil, Uduak Akpabio, Shuaibu Gidado Adamu, Mary Idowu Olasoju, Eman Ahmed Abo Elfadl, Mehmet Cemal Adiguzel, Selim Adewale Alarape, Muhammad Akbar Shahid, Roshan Riaz, Nicola Williams
Institutions: Kafrelsheikh University, Royal Holloway University of London, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, University of Ilorin, Atatürk University, Manouba University, Roslin Institute, University Frères Mentouri Constantine 1, National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, University of the Arts London, Cairo University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, Egyptian Chinese University, University of Ibadan, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Kafkas University, University of Liverpool
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7220694696