Knowledge on Antibiotics of Fourth Year Undergraduate Students of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and their Attitude and Practices Towards Self-Medication with Antibiotics / Pamplona, Hossane S., Paruñgao, Angelo Miguel P., Pati, Grace Antonette F., Peñaranda, Sheilah Zarah E., Poquiz, Maria Czarina M., Pugay, Eunika Aeden B., Rodenas, Erwin E., Seña, Gabrielle Louise B., Villafuerte, Maezel T., Yap, Monica Anne B., Yu, Llarx Saundt J. 6

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Self-medication, the selection and use of medicine by individuals to treat self-recognized or self-diagnosed conditions or symptoms, showed higher observance amongst university students based on previous studies. This may be a possible cause of frequent abuse of antibiotics in hospital and community settings. This study aimed to investigate associations between the knowledge and the attitude and practices of 4th year undergraduate students of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) towards self-medication with antibiotics. Utilizing analytical cross sectional design and quota sampling, a sample size of 376 respondents was derived and classified into healthcare (5%) and non-healthcare (95%) degree courses from the total population (N=1781). Pretested structured self-administered questionnaires were provided and response on knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) were assessed by statistical means. Data collection was conducted in PLM. The target population were the 4th year endergraduate students enrolled for the 2nd semester, S.Y. 2014-2015. Microsoft Excel and Epi Info 7 were used for the data presentation and statistical analysis. Shapiro-Wilk test revealed unequal distribution by normality. Cut off scores delineated between good or poor KAP. The mean age was 19.6 + 0.7 years, with more female (57.71%) than male (42.29%) respondents. Prevalence rate of 67% have practiced antibiotic self-medication. With median values 60%, 67% and 67% for each variable of KAP, respectively, the results garnered 31.65%, 39.89% and 48.67% to have good KAP-theses students advocate correct and safer self-medication with antibiotics. Poor knowledge on antibiotics is, therefore, positively associated with negative attitude (1.51 times higher) and poor practices (2 times higher). Advocating programs can help improve students' knowledge, and awareness about antibiotic use should be the initial step in promoting better self-medication practices.

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