The battle against antibiotic resistance: exploring perceptions, misconceptions, attitudes, practices, and awareness factors influencing antibiotic resistanceamong general and clinical populations | [Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences • 2023]

Author(s):

1. Salman Zahir: Northwest General Hospital and Research Center, Peshawar, Pakistan

2. Sarwat Jahan: Department of Pharmacology, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan

3. Khansa Khan: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan

4. Hashir Ul Jiyad: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan

5. Zahoor Ahmad Khan: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan

6. Zarghuna Akbar: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan

7. Maria Iqbal: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan

8. Atifa Afridi: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract:

Antibiotic resistance is rapidly advancing and becoming a higher risk over time; previously manageable infections have turned untreatable. Objective: To assess the perceptions, misconceptions, attitudes, practices, and awareness factors influencing antibiotic resistance among general and clinical populations. Methods: A total of 348 participants from the general public and 523 junior and senior medical practitioners in Peshawar, Pakistan, were included in this comparative observational cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire, which was later assessed by Chi-square test through SPSS version 26.0. Results: The results revealed a lack of awareness and knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance among both groups. Only 32% of the general public correctly identified the definition of antibiotic resistance, while 76% of medical practitioners demonstrated a basic understanding of the concept. However, a significant number of participants from both groups recognized the problem of bacterial infections resistant to all antibiotics and the contribution of self-medication to antibiotic resistance. In terms of self-medication practices, approximately 60% of the general public reported self-medicating with antibiotics without consulting a healthcare professional. Among medical practitioners, the rate of self-medication was significantly lower, but a small proportion still admitted to prescribing antibiotics without appropriate diagnosis or indications. The majority of participants, however, did not intend to prescribe/suggest unnecessary antibiotics. Conclusions: The findings indicated that both groups were cognizant of the issue, yet certain misconceptions persisted within each group.

Page(s): 78-84

DOI: 10.54393/pjhs.v4i10.1011

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, Volume: 4, Issue: 10, Year: 2023

Keywords:

antibiotics , Antibiotic resistance , General Public , Medical Practitioners , Inappropriate Intake

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