title: A study assessing public knowledge, belief and behavior of antibiotic use in an omani population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed to assess public knowledge, belief and behavior towards antibiotics use in a general population in the Sultanate of Oman.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 12-item self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 850 prospective participants by researchers using quota sampling in two governorates of Oman. The data obtained were evaluated to assess the responses to individual questions related to knowledge, belief and behavior of antibiotic use. Median score of the respondents was correlated with participant demographics and status on use of antibiotics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 718 completed questionnaires were obtained giving a response rate of 85%. The median total score of the participants was 16 (Interquartile range: 6) out of a possible maximum score of 24. A moderate knowledge and behavior score was observed, while the belief score of the participants was low. A significant difference was observed in the median total score based on age group, educational qualification and employment status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibiotics are frequently used by the public. An inappropriate belief on antibiotic related aspects was observed and inappropriate behavior was noticed, which are reflections of insufficient knowledge and wrong beliefs. Interventions must be put in place to educate the public on appropriate antibiotic use.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Nizwa P.B No 33, PO 616, Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jose
authors.forename: Beena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jimmy
authors.forename: Al Gahliya Mohammed Saif
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Alsabahi
authors.forename: Ghalya Abdullah
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Al Sabei
keywords: Antibiotics; Knowledge, Belief, Behavior; Oman; Public
references.citation: Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2005 Oct;12(5):303-9
references.pmid: 16272050
references.citation: Oman Med J. 2011 May;26(3):155-9
references.pmid: 22043406
references.citation: J Clin Pharm Ther. 2012 Jun;37(3):308-12
references.pmid: 21883328
references.citation: Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2007 Mar;29(3):245-53
references.pmid: 17229552
references.citation: Lancet Infect Dis. 2010 Jan;10(1):17-31
references.pmid: 20129146
references.citation: J Antimicrob Chemother. 2010 Jul;65(7):1526-33
references.pmid: 20488985
references.citation: BMJ. 2012 Feb 02;344:d8173
references.pmid: 22302780
references.citation: Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2006 May;62(5):373-9
references.pmid: 16568344
references.citation: N Z Med J. 2006 May 05;119(1233):U1957
references.pmid: 16680174
references.citation: Pharmacotherapy. 1994 Mar-Apr;14(2):229-34
references.pmid: 8197045
references.citation: J Pediatr (Rio J). 2008 Jul-Aug;84(4):316-22
references.pmid: 18688558
references.citation: Singapore Med J. 2006 Apr;47(4):266-70
references.pmid: 16572235
references.citation: Oman Med J. 2010 Jan;25(1):41-3
references.pmid: 22125697
references.citation: Saudi Pharm J. 2012 Apr;20(2):125-33
references.pmid: 23960783
references.citation: Patient Educ Couns. 2011 Dec;85(3):493-8
references.pmid: 21392929
references.citation: BMC Health Serv Res. 2007 Apr 17;7:55
references.pmid: 17439645
references.citation: J Antimicrob Chemother. 2007 Aug;60 Suppl 1:i63-8
references.pmid: 17656386
references.citation: J Pediatr Health Care. 2006 May-Jun;20(3):192-7
references.pmid: 16675380
references.citation: J Antimicrob Chemother. 2007 Aug;60 Suppl 1:i53-5
references.pmid: 17656383
references.citation: J Natl Med Assoc. 1996 May;88(5):289-94
references.pmid: 8667438
references.citation: Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2005 Aug;26(2):106-13
references.pmid: 16009535
references.citation: Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 Sep;9(9):1128-35
references.pmid: 14519251
references.citation: J Antimicrob Chemother. 2002 Jun;49(6):897-903
references.pmid: 12039881