Study on knowledge, attitude, and practices of general public toward antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Suresh Tharini , Selvakumar Gomathi , A Renuka , J Sharon 
Published: February 2024

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) states that antibiotic resistance (AMR) is a serious public health issue that is only getting worse. Antibiotic misuse leads to serious complications such as prolonged hospital admissions, high death rates, and increased financial load. While a number of factors have been identified as contributing to the development of AMR, inappropriate antibiotic usage has been identified as the primary cause. Taking antibiotics more often than prescribed, not taking them to their full recommended dosage, sharing prescription medications, storing medication for later use to treat the same symptoms, and obtaining antibiotics without a prescription are some of the factors that contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study are to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of public regarding the use of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance; evaluating potential corrective measures to address the problem; selecting effective communication strategies to raise awareness; and to analyzing the factors associated with a higher level of knowledge about antimicrobial resistance.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee from July 28th, 2022, to September 28th, 2022, with a sample size of 488 voluntary participants from general public visiting outpatient departments (OPDs) of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Chennai. The participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding the use of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance were assessed through a questionnaire in English and translated into the local language (Tamil).

Results: A total of 488 responses were received from patients visiting the various OPDs of RGGGH, Chennai. Among the respondents, the majority were females 257 (52.7%) of age groups, 18–25 years (172, 35.2%). The respondents were also grouped based on their level of education and found that most of them had completed class 12, 218 (44.7%). Previous history of antibiotic use was assessed and found that 417 (85.5%) participants had taken antibiotics within the past 12 months before the study. Our study found that the majority of respondents (280, 57.4%) knew that the full course of antibiotics should be taken as directed. Practices of acquiring antibiotics were also assessed in our study and found that 301 respondents (61.7%) said they have never purchased antibiotics without consulting a doctor. The proper use of antibiotics was another question that participants were asked and 288 (59%) participants answered that they had received this explanation health-care workers. The knowledge about antibiotic use was assessed and found that the majority of participants (368, 75.4%) correctly identify urinary tract infection as a disease that can be cured by antibiotics. Our study also revealed that most of the participants (317, 64.9%) had awareness about the antibiotic resistance from the given list of terms related to issue of antibiotic resistance.

Conclusion: The majority of the general people who visited the RGGGH’s OPDs revealed good attitudes and awareness regarding the severity of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the significance of using antibiotics appropriately. Their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors are determined to be highly satisfactory. There were a few minor fallacies, such as the idea that antibiotics work well against colds. To more accurately assess the baseline circumstances of the broader population, there is a greater need for research in this field using multicentric approaches and a modified demographic focus.