Abstract
Background: One of the important factors associated with overuse of antibiotics is a lack of knowledge
and awareness on rational use of antibiotics. The objectives of the study were to determine knowledge
and awareness of rational use of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections, acute diarrhea, and
simple fresh wounds among first year students of Mahidol University in the academic year 2011 at Salaya
Campus, Mahidol University. Methods: 2,700 first year students were given the questionnaire set I to
determine knowledge and awareness of rational use of antibiotics before the campaigns. The campaigns
were executed by distributing the media of the Antibiotics Smart Use program. The students were given
the questionnaire set II after one week of campaigning to determine knowledge and awareness of rational
use of antibiotics after the campaigns. Results: Sixty six percent and 74% of the students responded to the
questionnaire set I and II, respectively. The range of the correct responses of the questionnaire set I was
18.7% to 75.9% and that of the questionnaire set II was 51.7% to 82.2%. The average correct response of the
questionnaire set II was significantly higher than that of the questionnaire set II. The number of the
students who intended to use antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections, acute diarrhea, and simple
fresh wounds for the next episode of such ailments was significantly less than the rate of antibiotic use for
such ailments experienced by the students. Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness of rational use of
antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections, acute diarrhea, and simple fresh wounds among first
year students of Mahidol University in the academic year 2011 at Salaya Campus, Mahidol University
were insufficient. The knowledge, awareness and attitude towards rational use of antibiotics of the students
after the campaigns were much improved.
