A survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice of the general population on antibiotic use and resistance

Background: Antibiotics are prescription drugs that are used to treat and prevent bacterial infections. Over time, the irrational and inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses a serious danger to global public health and has significant economic, social, and political ramifications on a global scale. Aims and Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the general population’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic usage and resistance, as well as identify the factors influencing these behaviors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among 353 community members in Kerala’s Thrissur district using a pre-validated questionnaire developed by Nepal et al. Data were collected by giving an online questionnaire (Google Forms) after obtaining informed consent. The form was distributed through messaging services such as WhatsApp to the general public. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25 was used to code, enter, and analyze the data in Microsoft Excel. Qualitative data are expressed as frequency and proportion, and quantitative data as mean and standard deviation. Both univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used to examine the association between the various factors. Results: The respondents were mainly young adults, and more than half were female. The respondents showed good aptitude in “identification of antibiotics” and “antibiotic resistance,” whereas showing comparatively less aptitude in “knowledge in role of antibiotics.” The key factors leading to high aptitude were health education background and educational status. The attitude of respondents was high in all domains except for “antibiotic safety and resistance.” Using Pearson’s correlation, it was seen that individuals having high knowledge show poor attitude and practice, and vice versa. Conclusion: The study examines antibiotic use knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Thrissur district, aiming to reduce misconceptions and increase awareness. It suggests educational campaigns, reforms, interactive platforms, multimedia, and policies such as AMR Intervention for Total Health to address antibiotic resistance.