Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use and Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Study from Oman

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health threat.
• Understanding public and professional knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is crucial for effective antimicrobial stewardship.
• Oman faces challenges in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess KAP regarding antibiotic use and resistance among healthcare professionals and the public in Oman.
• To identify gaps in antimicrobial stewardship awareness.
• To inform evidence-based interventions for AMR control.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 239 participants.
• The survey assessed knowledge, beliefs, experiences, and practices related to antibiotic use and resistance.
• Data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics.

Main Results:

• Over 54% discussed antimicrobial resistance, and 60% recognized the link between agricultural and human antibiotic use.
• Healthcare professionals demonstrated high adherence to best practices, including completing antibiotic courses (96.2%) and considering resistance (90.3%).
• A significant 55.6% of participants reported antibiotic treatment failure.

Conclusions:

• While awareness of antibiotic use and resistance is moderate to high, a substantial gap exists between awareness and clinical outcomes.
• High rates of treatment failure highlight the urgent need for improved antimicrobial stewardship.
• Targeted interventions, including professional development and public education, are recommended.