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English Title

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES REGARDING THE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM A RURAL AREA OF LEBANON

Keywords

Antibiotic; Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotic use; General public; KAP; Rural region; Lebanon

Disciplines

Architecture | Business | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Despite the presence of a national policy restricting the easy access to antibiotics, irrational use of antibiotics continues to be widespread both in human use and livestock production in Lebanon. This study targets the general population in the rural region of Bekaa to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards antibiotic use. A cross sectional questionnaire was completed by 1151 participants, through face-to-face interviews. Study population was randomly selected. Descriptive statistics and correlation tests were applied in data analysis. 69.2% of participants had a very poor knowledge about antibiotics. More than 70% believed that viral infections may be treated by antibiotics; interrupting therapy when conditions improve and sharing antibiotics were considered appropriate by 79.4% and 80.3%, respectively. Only 14.1% were aware of the concept of “antibiotic resistance” and 58.3% didn’t know that antibiotics were used in animals. Despite their poor knowledge, more than half of participants (55.2%) expressed good attitude in terms of need for prescriptions (79.1%) when needed only (89.5%) and on the minimal use in agriculture (74%). Such positive attitude was generally reflected by their overall moderate practice among participants (65.8%). Nevertheless, only 10.9% of the participants obtained their antibiotics through a prescription, 62.7% kept leftover antibiotic for future use and 83.2% interrupted their antibiotic treatment. Moreover, participants’ attitudes and practices were significantly associated with gender, age and educational level. However, knowledge was associated only with gender and education. Knowledge showed significant positive correlation with attitude and practice. Findings suggest that intervention awareness programs specifically targeting specific segments in rural regions can be effective in directing the public to the rational use of antibiotics. Further research is recommended by conducting nationwide KAP studies covering communities of both urban and rural regions.

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