The Relationship Between Antibiotic Use and Resistance Awareness in Mexican Adolescents

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics, one of the most important medicines worldwide, yet few studies examine how Latin American adolescents’ understanding of AMR relates to their antibiotic usage knowledge, particularly among high socioeconomic status (SES) populations. This descriptive correlational quantitative study surveyed 140 students aged 14–18 at a high-SES international school in Mexico. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between AMR knowledge and antibiotic usage knowledge (r = 0.413, p < 0.001). However, AMR knowledge explained only 17% of the variation in antibiotic usage knowledge (R² ≈ 0.17). Mean knowledge scores remained moderate (AMR = 46%, antibiotic usage = 43%), and misconceptions persisted despite participants’ educational advantages. These findings suggest that while AMR knowledge is associated with improved antibiotic decision-making, education alone may be insufficient to change behavior. Understanding how knowledge interacts with access, culture, and socioeconomic context will be essential for protecting the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.