Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Antibiotic Use Among the Public in the City of Kuantan, Pahang State, Malaysia.

Muhammad Eid Akkawi; Nashaat Al-Shami; Yaser Mohammed Al-Worafi; Abdullah Abdulmajid Abdo Ahmed; Abdulkareem Mohammed Al-Shami

doi:10.31436/jop.v2i2.157

Authors

Muhammad Eid Akkawi Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Nashaat Al-Shami The Islamic Hospital, Alabdali, Amman, Jordan.
Yaser Mohammed Al-Worafi College of Pharmacy, University of Science and Technology of Fujairah, Fujairah, UAE.
Abdullah Abdulmajid Abdo Ahmed Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Abdulkareem Mohammed Al-Shami Faculty of Pharmacy, PICOMS International University College, Taman Batu Muda, 68100 Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/jop.v2i2.157

Keywords:

Antibiotics use, public, knowledge, attitude, practice, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Public knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic use play a vital role in the success of controlling antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess the public’s knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) towards antibiotic use in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general public above 18 years old. The data was collected in public places using a pre-validated questionnaire. Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for statistical analyses.

Results: Out of 410 participants who answered the questionnaire, 229 (55.9%) of them were female and 288 (70.3%) had a college/university degree. It was found that 258 participants (62.9%) have good knowledge and 306 of them (74.6%) have positive attitude towards antibiotic use. However, 160 respondents (39%) believe that antibiotics can kill viruses and 183 respondents (44.6%) stated that they would ask the doctor to give them antibiotics in case they have common cold symptoms. Having a good knowledge was significantly related to the age (P=0.005), employment status (P<0.001), education level (P<0.001), and the field of work or study (P<0.001). Furthermore, 313 of the sample (76.3%) had an overall good practice. However, 162 participants (39.5%) do not complete their antibiotic course. Additionally, 57 participants (13.9%) share and 69 of them (16.8%) use the leftover antibiotics. Showing a good practice correlated to the field of work/study (P =0.04), level of knowledge (Spearman's rho = 0.373; P<0.001) and attitude (Spearman's rho = 0.55; P<0.001).

Conclusion: Although the majority of the public showed good KAP, there are still important gaps that need to be filled. Therefore, a public educational campaign is needed to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice towards antibiotic use.

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