Factors Impacting Knoweldge, Practice and Attitude About Antibacterial and Its Resistance by Cross Sectional Study in Iraq

ABSTRACT

Background: Poor people's knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) are the most imperative factors behind the emergence of antimicrobial resistance(AMR).(37.2%) of low and middle income people had a little information about antibiotics with clear deficiency of reliable research and surveillance programs about AMR .Therefore our study targeted the state of knowledge, attitude and use of antibiotics within the Iraqi community and exploring the patient's factors associated with it. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study conducted on patients presented to microbiological lab of Al- ALSadar Medical City and Al-Zahraa Teaching Hospital / Najaf governate/Iraq. The participants included patients presented with different kinds of infections and requested for culture /sensitivity test for organisms isolated from different sources. The total sample size were 475 patients. The data collected by validated pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Our study registered at Clinical Trials.gov with the registration number (NCT05100407). Results: In general, the participants had below average knowledge percentage (42%) Also, the percentage of total practice score was lower than average 42%. On the other hand, they had neutral attitude score (56%).There was a positive correlation between knowledge ,attitude and practice .Also there were many patient's characteristics had significant effect on overall knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about antibiotics female patients and urban population were significantly more knowledgeable about antibiotics compared to male and rural population .Also patients who had a healthcare worker among in the family, those who were infected with COVID-19 or have received flu/COVID-19 vaccines were significantly more knowledgeable about antibiotics .Whereas, patients with better antibiotic knowledge, were less frequently admitted to hospital, less used of antibiotic therapy, less used of immunosuppressant drugs and less needed for medical devises employment. Conclusion: Our study revealed that the participants had poor knowledge, malpractice and neutral attitude toward antibiotic use and resistance. Also, the attitude and practice were directly related to participant knowledge and to several patient's factors.