Basic knowledge and misconceptions on antibiotic use: a comparative survey between Veterinary College and High School students in Bari (Italy)

Misconceptions about the use and effectiveness of antibiotics contribute to the persistence of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to gather information on appropriate use of antibiotics in students from the Veterinary Medicine College (G1, n = 119) and from High School (G2, n = 220), from Bari (Italy) through a questionnaire. The response rate was 89% in G1 and 89.5% in G2. Fifty-five % of college students and 79% of high-school students had taken antibiotics in the last 12 months. Unsurprisingly, high-school students had more misconceptions about antibiotics than G1. The majority of misconceptions stated that i) antibiotics kill viruses (OR 8.4, CI 4.8-14.7, p < 0.001); ii) they are active against cold and flu (OR 4.6, CI 2.6-8.1, p < 0.001); iii) it is possible to purchase antibiotics without a medical prescription (OR 7.3, CI 4.3-12.5, p < 0.001). Information campaigns among young people are urgently needed to reduce misuse and to improve knowledge on antibiotics.