Background: The menace of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) disproportionately affects low and middle-income countries. The general public plays a major role in the emergence and spread of AMR.
Aim and Objectives: (1) The aim and objectives of the study are to assess the current knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding antibiotic usage in the general population of Karnataka; (2) to identify demographic characteristics associated with particular knowledge, attitude, and practices; and (3) to determine whether a person’s attitudes toward and knowledge of risks associated with taking antibiotics affected the practices relating to antibiotic use.
Materials and Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured and validated questionnaire using the Google Forms platform. The questionnaire consisted of participant’s demographic data and questions to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices pertaining to antibiotic use. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between demographic variables and knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Linear regression was used to examine the association between knowledge, attitude, and practice scores.
Results: 510 respondents were included in the study. The performance of the participants in all three domains in our study was average with only 48.43% securing a “good” score. 20.20% believed that antibiotics were used to treat viral infections, 48.43% were aware of the meaning of antibiotic resistance, 37.06% believed that antibiotics which worked earlier can be re-used, 30.20% believed that there is no need to complete the antibiotic course, and 32.94% thought that antibiotics could be shared with friends. 14.9% said that they had received antibiotic without prescription. Scores improved significantly with increase in the level of education (P < 0.001) and the occupational level of the participants (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis demonstrated a positive effect of knowledge and attitude on practice regarding antibiotic use (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The current study reiterates that the level of knowledge regarding antibiotics and AMR in the Indian public is only average. A combination of educational programs and stringent legislation should be implemented to limit the menace of AMR.
Key words: Antibiotics; Antibiotic Resistance; Antimicrobial Resistance; General Population; Knowledge; Attitude; Practice
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