Abstract
Background: The irrational use of antibiotics is one of the leading causes to antibiotic resistance affecting the public’s health. This study aimed at examining the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practice in a Southern village of Lebanon. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in Haddatha Village-Beint Jbeil in South Lebanon during the month of October 2017. The target population for the survey included Lebanese adults (21 years of age or older) that had been living in the Village for at least the past 3 years. Results: All households were targeted, of whom 91 agreed to participate (86%), within the same household, we surveyed only one member. More than half of the respondents were misinformed about antibiotics usage to treat viral infections (60.4%), almost 30% reported that it cures all infections and 26.4% assumed that they can stop taking the antibiotic before completing the course if their symptoms improved. Half of the respondents (48.4%) conveyed expecting their physicians to prescribe antibiotics to treat common cold. On the other hand, 60% do not usually seek medical care when sick because they think that it is not needed. The results, also, showed that almost 30% take antibiotics without a physician’s prescription. Approximately, half of the population reported consuming leftover antibiotics (50.5%), with only 5.6% waiting more than 4 days to start an antibiotic course. Conclusion: This study reflects several misconceptions and poor knowledge regarding antibiotics use, with an exhibition of contentious attitude and practice. Therefore, it is recommended to advocate for policies to control the misuse of antibiotics through public health interventions targeting individuals and their families to limit antibiotic resistance.
Highlights
The economy and public health of nations are greatly impacted by antibiotic resistance (World Health Organization, 2016)
The results showed that almost half of the respondents (48.4%) expect their doctors to prescribe antibiotics to treat common cold and 15.4% of these respondents ask their physicians to prescribe antibiotics when they suffer from common cold symptoms (Table 3)
The future of antibiotics remains unpredictable with the increase of reported resistance and the minimal progression in antibiotic development
Summary
The economy and public health of nations are greatly impacted by antibiotic resistance (World Health Organization, 2016). Antimicrobial resistance was declared by the World Health Organization as a major health challenge of the 21st century and an issue of prime concern to the global public health (Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2011b). The public health threat of antibiotic resistance involves three main stakeholders: the individual/patient, the healthcare professional, and the policy maker. At the level of the healthcare professional, the misuse of antibiotics to treat viral infections, improper and/or insufficient patient education, poor prescribing practices, prescribing antimicrobial medicine when not in need, and the incorrect choice of medication or incorrect dosage contribute significantly to the problem (Infectious Diseases Society of Hijazi et al / European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 5(2), em0088. This study aimed at examining the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practice in a Southern village of Lebanon
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