Knowledge, attitude and practices among consumers toward antibiotics use and antibiotic resistance in Swat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Objective: Inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance around the globe. The present study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among consumers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2019 to September 2019. The participants visiting community pharmacies to buy the antibiotics were approached by data collectors. The descriptive analysis, Kruskal Wallis, and Mann-Whitney statistical tests were used for data analysis through SPSS.

Results: 399 participants at three pharmacies with male (n = 352, 88.2%), age (years) group between 34 to 41(n = 138, 34.6%), uneducated (n = 128, 32.1%), and higher education (n = 76, 19.0%) level of the participants were noted. Poor to moderate knowledge were observed; participants were unaware of the risk and misuse of antibiotics at all three pharmacies. By some means, a positive attitude noted, but the storage of antibiotics at home (Median = 2, IQR = 2) was preferred to use when needed. Most of the respondents didn’t follow the actual dosage regimen as prescribed (n = 266, 66.7%, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: A lack of knowledge and malpractices toward antibiotics use among consumers were observed. Education and awareness of the public about antibiotic resistance is the need of the hour.

KEYWORDS:

• Pakistan
• antibiotic resistance
• knowledge
• attitude and practices
• consumer
• pharmacy

Supplemental data

Supplementary data for this article can be accessed here.

Article highlights

• The first-ever study to present the real scenario of the consumers towards the antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in the given area of study.

• The present study highlighted the level of understanding regarding antibiotics.

• Most of the respondents (269, 67.4%) have heard of the term ‘antibiotics’ from different sources.

• Poor knowledge was observed about the antibiotic resistance, as 334 (83.7%) didn’t know the terminology, and 285 (71.4%) heard antibiotic resistance for the first time.

• Inappropriate use of antibiotics perceptions was observed, especially the storage of pre-used antibiotics at home (Median=2, IQR=2), and preferred to use when needed.

• Most of the respondents (n=266, 66.7%) didn’t follow the actual dosage regimen as prescribed.

• Community-based ASP (antimicrobial stewardship programs) in Pakistan is of urgent need.

Author contributions

Conceptual framework by FUK and YF, statistical analysis was done by KH, FUK, and AS. Interpretation and editing by NA, URM, MA, MMA, and JC. The manuscript was written and approved by all authors.

Acknowledgments

The authors’ gratitude of thanks to all participants for their contributions to our study.Moreover, authors are thankful to all the Pharmacists and other staff for facilitation during the data collection period.

Data Availability

Data can be provided upon request.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Statement of informed consent

An oral and informed consent form has been provided to all participants.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the ‘Young Talent Support Plan,’ ‘High Achiever Plan’ of Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and the Central University Basic Research Fund (2015qngz05).