Effectiveness of an educational intervention in promoting antibiotic awareness among 8th to 10th grade students in Kerala, India

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a training program on the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of antimicrobial resistance determinants among high school students in Kerala, India. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 8th – 10th grade students for six months in a high school in Kerala, India . This study consisted of a baseline assessment of consenting participants, educational intervention using PowerPoint slides, and post-intervention assessment. Assessments were done using a validated Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior questionnaire. Results: Among the 223 eligible students in the selected school, 159 (71.3%) participated in the study. The follow-up rate was 93.08%. Considering a p-value of less than 0.05 to be statistically significant, there was a statistically significant difference in the knowledge (pre-intervention mean score = 6.26 ± 2.06, post-intervention mean score = 7.44 ± 1.81), attitude (pre-intervention mean score = 2.51 ± 1.13, post-intervention mean score = 3.29 ± 1.19), and behavior (pre-intervention score = 4.27 ± 1.40, post-intervention score = 4.74 ± 1.38) of study participants. Conclusion: Educational intervention based on improving the knowledge, attitude, and practice of school children is an effective strategy to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.