Knowledge and attitude among samples from community members, pharmacists and health care providers about antibiotic resistance in Al- Suwaria city/Wassit province/Iraq

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, primarily due to inappropriate antimicrobial use. Addressing this threat is a public health priority that requires a collaborative global approach in all areas. The rational use of antimicrobials is the main strategy for the prevention of antimicrobial resistance, which can be achieved by changing the behavior and knowledge of the prescribers. So, for the success of any problem management program, the most important prerequisite is community participation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of the samples of community members, pharmacists and health professionals in the city of Al-Suwaria, in the province of Wasit, in the Middle East of Iraq, with respect to antimicrobial resistance, which helps to rationalize the use of antimicrobials. In this survey, a cross-sectional study of 102 random contributing samples was performed. From January to March 2020. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed using a typical self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analyzes were used to express the results. A total of 102 participants answered the questionnaire. Overall, collaborators have established good knowledge and positive attitudes toward antimicrobial resistance based on 13 knowledge questions and nine attitude statements. Gaps were identified in the knowledge of the possibility of addressing resistance through the discovery of a new drug (21.6%), the possibility of using antibiotics as an effective drug against viral diseases (36.3%) and the possibility of accelerate the treatment of diseases with antibiotics (38.2%). The majority of respondents (72.5%) agreed that antibiotic resistance induces serious global problems that affect public health. Furthermore, the majority of those interviewed (69.6%) believe that this phenomenon affects our health and that of our families. Similarly, (13.7%) of the participants totally agreed, while (65.7%) agreed that pharmacists played an important role in the appearance of this problem, and (37, 3%) of the participants fully agreed, while (58.8%) agreed that it is necessary to follow the recommendations and guidelines for life-saving antibiotics in the hospital. In contrast, 27.5% of the participants expressed a weak attitude towards the possibility of fighting antimicrobial resistance in their region through infection control practices by health professionals. Contributors in this study had good knowledge and positive attitudes toward antimicrobial resistance. Although the data is indicative of gaps in the knowledge of residents of the city of Al-Suwaria/Wasit province.