Highlights
- •A cross-sectional study to assess knowledge & practices of antibiotics use in Jordan.
- •There are major defects in the public knowledge about appropriate antibiotics use.
- •There is also lack of awareness on the “antimicrobial resistance” problem.
- •Awareness about appropriate antibiotic use should reach everyone in the community.
Abstract
Background
Antimicrobial resistance represents a significant public health problem worldwide.
Irrational use of antibiotics is the main driving factor for the evolution of antimicrobials-resistant
organisms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the areas of defects in the knowledge
and practices of the community about antibiotic use.
Methods
A cross-sectional study on a sample of 1060 randomly-selected adults residing in the
North of Jordan using a pre-validated questionnaire to evaluate knowledge, practices
and attitude toward antimicrobial use and misuse, as well as to assess knowledge about
antimicrobial resistance.
Results
Of all respondents, 41% (n = 437) stated that they have received oral antibiotics in the past two months, of
which 38% acquired the antibiotics without a prescription. 32% of those who received
antibiotics did not complete the recommended course of treatment. 39–54% of the sample
population believe in common misconceptions/malpractices of antibiotics use. The majority
(70%) of the respondents have not known about the term “antimicrobials resistance”.
Although people with higher education and higher income were generally more knowledgeable
about appropriate antibiotics use and antimicrobial resistance, responses to some
of the most important aspects in the assessment of knowledge showed no statistical
difference between the different groups.
Conclusions
Our data revealed major defects in the public knowledge about appropriate antibiotics
use, as well as lack of awareness on “antimicrobial resistance” problem. Awareness
about appropriate antibiotic use and the serious consequences of antibiotic misuse
should reach everyone in the community regardless of their educational or economic
status.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 24, 2017
Accepted:
November 5,
2017
Received in revised form:
November 4,
2017
Received:
September 5,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
