Sri Lanka Journal of Medicine (Dec 2021)

Knowledge, attitude and practices on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, among patients attending the Outpatient Department of a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka

  • P. R. R. W. M. R. D. Abhayasinghe,
  • H. M. H. G. G. S. S. Abeyrathna,
  • O. R. Amarajeewa,
  • K. R. Althaf,
  • A. M. A. P. K. Alahakoon,
  • I. M. A. P. Abewardhana,
  • A. R. R. P. Alahakoon,
  • U. K. F. Al-Hithaya,
  • A. K. D. A. E. Amarasinghe,
  • C. Dema,
  • T. Pelzom,
  • Gihani Vidanapathirana,
  • L. V. C. Liyanapathirana

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4038/sljm.v30i2.268
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 2
pp. 57 – 64

Abstract

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Background and Objectives: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is considered an imminent “silent” pandemic of current times. Therefore, understanding the level of knowledge and prevalent practices of antibiotic misuse are important to establish targeted educational and other interventional programmes. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted among 450 patients who attended the Outpatient Department of Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. An interviewer administered type questionnaire was used to evaluate knowledge of the patients regarding the drivers of AMR, and to assess the prevalence of common malpractices regarding the usage of antibiotics. For the knowledge section, marks were given out of 10. Results: Out of 450, 92 (20.4%) scored 5 or over 5 while 358 (79.6%) scored below 5. Seventy-two (16%) failed to score any marks. The mean score was 2.87 (SD 2.1) and median was 3. The obtained scores ranged from 0 to 9. Common misconceptions identified were that antibiotics were active against the common cold and antibiotics are effective against viruses. Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge regarding antibiotics and antibiotic resistance was poor within our study population. Hence, there is a need of immediate correction through a collaborative effort of healthcare practitioners and national policymakers.

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