The Battle against Antibiotic Resistance: Exploring Perceptions, Misconceptions, Attitudes, Practices, and Awareness Factors Influencing Antibiotic Resistance among General and Clinical Populations: The Battle against Antibiotic Resistance

Salman Zahir; Sarwat Jahan; Khansa Khan; Hashir Ul Jiyad; Zahoor Ahmad Khan; Zarghuna Akbar; Maria Iqbal; Atifa Afridi

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v4i10.1011

Authors

Salman Zahir Northwest General Hospital and Research Center, Peshawar, Pakistan
Sarwat Jahan Department of Pharmacology, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan
Khansa Khan Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan
Hashir Ul Jiyad Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan
Zahoor Ahmad Khan Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan
Zarghuna Akbar Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan
Maria Iqbal Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan
Atifa Afridi Department of Medicine and Surgery, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v4i10.1011

Keywords:

Antibiotics, Antibiotic Resistance, General Public, Inappropriate Intake, Medical Practitoners

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.

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