Knowledge of Antibiotic Use and Resistance Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes providing hands-on training to medical students on responsible antibiotic prescription. A study conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, found that 92.40% of medical students agreed that antibiotics are effective against bacteria, while only 25.20% agreed about their effectiveness against viruses. Over half of the participants believed that bacterial infections can be resolved without antibiotics, and 78.20% agreed that unnecessary use makes antibiotics less effective. The study also found that male students had low knowledge about antibiotics. Improving the curriculum could address this knowledge gap.