A statistical study on awareness of antibiotic resistance among the general population

Abstract

Managing antibiotic resistance is a complex and multifaceted task. The Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) and Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), accepted by the WHO in 2015, has featured generating awareness of antibiotic resistance in the general population as well as health practitioners and professionals as one of its five key strategy points for the containment of antibiotic resistance dissemination. Survey studies, assessing the general population's awareness of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, will help in better policy and infrastructure design, identify factors contributing to lack of understanding, and develop more effective awareness generation methods accordingly. In our study, we concluded that the majority of the sample population has little to no knowledge of appropriate antibiotic usage, antibiotic resistance, and repercussions of misuse of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance irrespective of being educated. The majority of the studied population is using antibiotics irresponsibly. Even if the studied population has access to digital technology and information on the appropriate use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance on digital platforms, the studied group still lacks appropriate antibiotic use awareness, and the awareness of antibiotic resistance and its repercussions. Thus, we concluded that it is essential to organize regular physical awareness campaigns at the local level to develop consciousness around appropriate antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance to mitigate the risk of dissemination of antibiotic resistance.