ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial resistance occurs naturally but is enhanced by human activities related to the use of antibiotics (for example, excessive use and misuse of antimicrobial agents). Our study aimed to gain insight into the knowledge, attitudes and practice of the use of antibiotics among the general Bulgarian population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during a 4-week period in April-May 2022. Our sample included 516 participants of whom 398 (77.1%) were females, mainly Bulgarians by ethnic group, with a university degree (master degree 58.9%;bachelor degree 17.2%) and living in big regional cities (91.5%). The main health reasons that respondents from all age groups share for taking antibiotics in the last year were bronchitis, sore throat, infections, including urinary tract infections, and pneumonia. Interestingly, about 14% of the respondents have treated the SARS-2-coronavirus infection with antibiotics. Our results highlighted existing attitudes toward antibiotic use in the surveyed sample. Overall, respondents from all age groups showed similarities in their attitudes toward treatment with antibiotics. People's behavior and actions toward antibiotics play an important role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Our study provided some important insights concerning the knowledge and practices related to antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in the Bulgarian population. In general, good knowledge of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance was evident among the surveyed sample.
ABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 has disseminated rapidly, resulting in one of the most severe pandemic outbreaks in decades. Countries around the world have been working hard to acquire legislative authorization for vaccination and its subsequent distribution. However, some members of the European Union registered very low uptake of vaccines. Students in the healthcare field could act as contributors to the conflict resolution of vaccine hesitancy. This study investigated the awareness, knowledge and attitudes of Bulgarian medical, dental and pharmacy undergraduate students toward vaccines against COVID-19. In the period 24(th) Apr - 10(th) May 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted online. A total of 480 students answered the questionnaire form. Only 27% of the responders were negative regarding the vaccination against COVID-19. About 73% of the responders were either already vaccinated or were on the waiting list. Both groups of students believed that the type of vaccine is important, regardless of their vaccination status. Our findings demonstrate a general positive attitude of Bulgarian medical university students toward coronavirus vaccination. The barriers to vaccinations were mainly related to concerns related to the effectiveness of the vaccines consistent with studies in other countries. Government authorities must oppose barriers to vaccination by introducing pro-vaccination campaigns with the help of a multidisciplinary approach in higher education. Thereby, the positive attitudes of medical students can be successfully formed and further increased. This could be utilized to increase the public trust in the immunization process, which would help to oppose the spread of disinformation.