Mohammed, N., Mohammed, L., Mohammed, N., Baba shekh, A., Abdalla, R., Mohammed, O., Dalar, A. (2025). The Knowledge and Usage of Antibiotics and Medicinal Plants Among Undergraduate Students: Their Awareness of Resistance in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. , 22(3), 165-174. doi: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2025.159625.1145
Namam Rebaz Mohammed; Lalan Rebaz Mohammed; Nwa Rebaz Mohammed; Adil Omer Baba shekh; Rozhan Bahadeen Abdalla; Othman Abdulrahman Mohammed; Abdullah Dalar. "The Knowledge and Usage of Antibiotics and Medicinal Plants Among Undergraduate Students: Their Awareness of Resistance in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq". , 22, 3, 2025, 165-174. doi: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2025.159625.1145
Mohammed, N., Mohammed, L., Mohammed, N., Baba shekh, A., Abdalla, R., Mohammed, O., Dalar, A. (2025). 'The Knowledge and Usage of Antibiotics and Medicinal Plants Among Undergraduate Students: Their Awareness of Resistance in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq', , 22(3), pp. 165-174. doi: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2025.159625.1145
Mohammed, N., Mohammed, L., Mohammed, N., Baba shekh, A., Abdalla, R., Mohammed, O., Dalar, A. The Knowledge and Usage of Antibiotics and Medicinal Plants Among Undergraduate Students: Their Awareness of Resistance in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. , 2025; 22(3): 165-174. doi: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2025.159625.1145

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

Iraqi Journal of Pharmacy
Article 6, Volume 22, Issue 3, September 2025, Pages 165-174    PDF (551.33 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2025.159625.1145
Authors
Namam Rebaz Mohammed1; Lalan Rebaz Mohammed1; Nwa Rebaz Mohammed2; Adil Omer Baba shekh1; Rozhan Bahadeen Abdalla1; Othman Abdulrahman Mohammed* 3; Abdullah Dalar4, 5
1Department of Medical Laboratory, Kurdistan Technical Institute, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
2Department of Food Science and Quality Control, Halabja Technical College, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Halabja Technical College, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
4Mardin Artuklu University Herbarium (MARIUM), Mardin Artuklu University, Mardin 47060, Türkiye
5Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van 65090, Türkiye
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.
Keywords
Antibiotic resistance; Medicinal plants; Undergraduate students; Co-therapeutics; Knowledge and utilization; Iraq
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