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Background <p>Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a crucial global health initiative aimed at promoting rational antimicrobial use to curb the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and improving patient outcomes. Dental practitioners contribute significantly to antibiotic prescribing in ambulatory care, yet AMS competencies among dental students, particularly in Nigeria, remain underexplored. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and opinions regarding AMS among clinical dental students across southern Nigeria.</p> Methods <p>A multicentre cross-sectional survey was conducted among 160 clinical dental students from three universities in southern Nigeria. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling based on institutional enrolment proportions. A 38-item pretested questionnaire assessed AMS-related knowledge, attitudes, and opinions. Responses were scored based on correctness and confidence, then categorized as Good, Fair, or Poor. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations between AMS scores and demographic factors.</p> Results <p>The mean age of participants was 25 years (SD = 3), with a gender distribution of 51.88% females and 48.12% males. A generally positive knowledge and attitude towards AMS were observed; however, significant demographic variations were identified. Male students, students from minority ethnic groups, younger participants, and Muslims demonstrated higher AMS competencies. A strong positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitude scores. Gender and marital status were significantly associated with knowledge scores (<i>p</i> = 0.016 and <i>p</i> = 0.004, respectively), while marital status also influenced attitude scores (<i>p</i> = 0.0338). Institutional differences revealed lower AMS knowledge scores among students from the University of Nigeria compared to other schools.</p> Conclusion <p>While clinical dental students in southern Nigeria demonstrated adequate baseline knowledge and attitudes toward AMS, demographic disparities highlight the need for targeted educational interventions. Standardized AMS curricula across dental schools, with culturally sensitive and gender-inclusive approaches, are recommended to enhance stewardship preparedness and contribute to global AMR mitigation efforts.</p>

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Antimicrobial stewardship competencies in undergraduate dental education: a multicentre cross-sectional study of clinical dental students in Southern Nigeria

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月17日

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  • Promise U Okereke,
  • Wisdom Obumneme Okereke,
  • MaryJane Chiamaka Okafor,
  • Chukwuemeka Victor Umeh,
  • Anezi Victor Eze,
  • Onyekachukwu Emmanuel Okwor,
  • Chukwunonso Emmanuel Chukwumaeze,
  • Anthony Chukwuebuka Okeke,
  • Chukwuagozie Victor Oti,
  • Ezi Abigail Akaji

摘要

Background

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a crucial global health initiative aimed at promoting rational antimicrobial use to curb the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and improving patient outcomes. Dental practitioners contribute significantly to antibiotic prescribing in ambulatory care, yet AMS competencies among dental students, particularly in Nigeria, remain underexplored. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and opinions regarding AMS among clinical dental students across southern Nigeria.

Methods

A multicentre cross-sectional survey was conducted among 160 clinical dental students from three universities in southern Nigeria. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling based on institutional enrolment proportions. A 38-item pretested questionnaire assessed AMS-related knowledge, attitudes, and opinions. Responses were scored based on correctness and confidence, then categorized as Good, Fair, or Poor. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations between AMS scores and demographic factors.

Results

The mean age of participants was 25 years (SD = 3), with a gender distribution of 51.88% females and 48.12% males. A generally positive knowledge and attitude towards AMS were observed; however, significant demographic variations were identified. Male students, students from minority ethnic groups, younger participants, and Muslims demonstrated higher AMS competencies. A strong positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitude scores. Gender and marital status were significantly associated with knowledge scores (p = 0.016 and p = 0.004, respectively), while marital status also influenced attitude scores (p = 0.0338). Institutional differences revealed lower AMS knowledge scores among students from the University of Nigeria compared to other schools.

Conclusion

While clinical dental students in southern Nigeria demonstrated adequate baseline knowledge and attitudes toward AMS, demographic disparities highlight the need for targeted educational interventions. Standardized AMS curricula across dental schools, with culturally sensitive and gender-inclusive approaches, are recommended to enhance stewardship preparedness and contribute to global AMR mitigation efforts.