Abstract

Background: In recent years, the problem of drug resistance has significantly increased especially resistance to antibiotics. However, many people are still unaware of the drug resistance problem and preventive behavior of drug resistance. This will lead to overuse and misuse of antimicrobials which are the major factors that cause drug resistance. Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude, and preventive behavior of drug resistance of high school students and to study factors that affect drug resistance preventive behaviors.
Materials and Methods: In July 2021, all grade 10–12 students from Suksanari School were invited to participate in completing an online questionnaire. A total of 322 students participated. Knowledge about drug resistance, attitudes toward drug resistance preventive behavior, and drug resistance preventive behaviors were assessed. Differences between outcomes and sociodemographics were analyzed through independent t-tests and the ANOVA.
Results: Students revealed moderate knowledge about drug resistance, correctly answering 10.66 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.68) questions in a total of 15 and showed a good score of attitude toward drug resistance preventive behaviors (M = 41.72, S = 4.78). Students reported a moderate level of drug resistance preventive behavior, on average, 47.70 (SD = 5.99) of the 60 behaviors full scores. Grade 11 students presented higher levels of knowledge, more positive attitudes than other class levels. However, grade 12 students engaged in more preventive behaviors than other class levels. Attitude toward preventive behavior (Beta = 0.520, P < 0.01) and class level (Beta = 0.128, P < 0.01) predicted the adoption of those preventive behaviors. Conclusion: Participants showed a moderate level of drug resistance knowledge, good attitude toward preventive behavior, and moderate level of drug resistance preventive behaviors. Attitude toward drug resistance preventive behavior and class level were predictive factors for drug resistance preventive behavior adoption. From the study, it was recommended to promote the right attitude toward drug resistance preventive behaviors among this group of students to improve preventive behaviors.