Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Analysis of Antibiotics Use and Misuse in Tertiary Care Rural Hospital Patients

Introduction: In recent decades, the increase in bacterial resistance against all major antibiotics is a growing worldwide problem and is a significant threat to global public health in the 21century.

Objective: Assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antibiotics use and misuse among the tertiary care rural hospital patients.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study conducted at tertiary care teaching rural hospital in India between December2020 to April 2021. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the patients of outpatient departments in hospital. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts, first part consist of demographic variables, second and third part regarding knowledge, attitude and practice of patients towards use of antibiotics. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis.

Results: Out of the 110 participants, 56(50.91%) were males and 54(49.09%) were females. 55(50%) patients received antibiotics from friends, relative and pharmacist without medical doctor checkup. 38(34.55%) patients had started antibiotics as preventive medication for any infection, 73 (66.36%) patients got better earlier and have stopped. 52(47%) patient expect antibiotics from doctor for common cold. 42% patient obtained antibiotics without valid prescription from relatives, pharmacist or self-prescription without producing valid prescription obtained from the doctor. In the knowledge domain while majority of respondent were well aware that antibiotics are hazardous during pregnancy and lactation and can lead to severe allergic reactions. But very few respondent knew about resistance can transfer from animal to human and human to human, also very few respondent knew about antibiotics can alter human body bacterial flora.

Conclusion: There is lack of knowledge regarding antibiotics use and resistance among general population. Strict strategies need to employ like antibiotics prescription audit, antibiotics dispensing monitoring, effective public health education, and promoting health worker and patient communication.