The Knowledge and Usage of Antibiotics and Medicinal Plants Among Undergraduate Students: Their Awareness of Resistance in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Section: Research Paper
Issue
Vol. 22 No. 3 (2025): Volume 22 Issue 3
Published
Sep 1, 2025
Pages
165-174

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health concern affecting millions worldwide. Misuse of antibiotics and increased reliance on traditional remedies such as medicinal plants contribute to the complexity of AMR, especially in developing regions. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and utilization of antimicrobial drugs and medicinal plants among undergraduate students in Sulaimani City, Iraq. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2023 using convenience sampling among 301 students from four institutions: Kurdistan Technical Institute (KTI), Sulaimani Polytechnic University (SPU), University of Human Development (UHD), and University of Sulaimani (UOS). Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The correct knowledge rate was 61.3% for antibiotics and 73.5% for medicinal plants. Antibiotics were primarily used to treat nasal and pharyngeal infections (n = 161; 53.5%), while medicinal plants were commonly used for the same conditions (n = 104; 34.6%). A majority of students (n = 222; 73.7%) expressed dissatisfaction with medications used for recurrent bacterial infections. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need to promote rational antibiotic use and safe application of medicinal plants. Educational initiatives targeting prescribers and students may help curb AMR and support public health. Limitations include sampling bias due to the predominance of female and medical students, which may limit generalizability. Future studies should aim for more representative populations.

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Authors

Namam Rebaz Mohammed

Department of Medical Laboratory, Kurdistan Technical Institute, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

ORCID
Lalan Rebaz Mohammed

Department of Food Science and Quality Control, Halabja Technical College, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

ORCID
Nwa Rebaz Mohammed

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Halabja Technical College, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

ORCID
Adil Omer Baba shekh

Mardin Artuklu University Herbarium (MARIUM), Mardin Artuklu University, Mardin 47060, Türkiye

ORCID
Rozhan Bahadeen Abdalla
ORCID
Othman Abdulrahman Mohammed
ORCID
Abdullah Dalar
ORCID

Identifiers

https://doi.org/10.33899/iraqij.p.2025.159625.1145
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How to Cite

Rebaz Mohammed, N., Rebaz Mohammed, L., Rebaz Mohammed, N., Omer Baba shekh, A., Bahadeen Abdalla, R., Abdulrahman Mohammed, O., & Dalar, A. (2025). The Knowledge and Usage of Antibiotics and Medicinal Plants Among Undergraduate Students: Their Awareness of Resistance in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Iraqi Journal of Pharmacy, 22(3), 165–174. https://doi.org/10.33899/iraqij.p.2025.159625.1145