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

This study aims to evaluate knowledge levels, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use and resistance among healthcare professionals and the public in Oman, and to identify gaps in antimicrobial stewardship awareness to inform evidence-based interventions.

A comprehensive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated online questionnaire (n = 239). The survey assessed four key domains: knowledge about antibiotics, beliefs regarding antibiotic use and resistance, personal experiences with antibiotic treatment, and practices related to antibiotic prescribing. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative analyses. Responses were evaluated for both healthcare professionals and public participants.

Analysis revealed that 130/239 (54.4%) of participants actively engaged in discussions about antimicrobial resistance, while 145/239 (60.7%) demonstrated awareness of the relationship between agricultural antibiotic use and human resistance patterns. Healthcare professionals showed strong adherence to best practices, with 81/84 (96.2%) emphasizing the importance of completing prescribed antibiotic courses and 76/84 (90.3%) considering resistance patterns in prescribing decisions. However, 133/239 (55.6%) of respondents reported experiencing antibiotic treatment failure.

This study revealed a moderate to high level of awareness about antibiotic use and resistance among participants. However, the high prevalence of reported treatment failure indicates a critical gap between awareness and practical outcomes. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions, including enhanced professional development programs and comprehensive public education campaigns.