title: Assessing the Lebanese population for their knowledge, attitudes and practices of antibiotic usage.
abstract: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a global phenomenon, mainly due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics. There are no studies in Lebanon to assess the public's knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of antibiotic usage. A cross-sectional study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire completed by a random convenience sample of 500 people. Nearly half of the respondents (46.1%) demonstrated moderate knowledge levels, while 40.6% demonstrated moderate attitudes. Although 80.2% knew that antibiotics are anti-bacterial, 73.5% did not know that antibiotics are not anti-viral. Moreover, 68.3% of respondents reported consuming antibiotics 1-3 times per year, while 22.4% consumed antibiotics on their own accord. Approximately 66.7% realized that abusing antibiotics could lead to resistance. Participant knowledge and attitudes were significantly associated with monthly family income, educational level, place of residency, having medical insurance, working in the health sector or having a relative working in the health sector. Nation-wide awareness campaigns targeting susceptible demographics should be initiated.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Tarek H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Mouhieddine
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Zeinab
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Olleik
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Saint George University of London, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Muhieddine M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Itani
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Soumayah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawtharani
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Hussein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nassar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rached
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hassoun
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Zeinab
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Houmani
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Zeinab
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: El Zein
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ramy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fakih
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ibrahim K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Mortada
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Youssef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mohsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Zeina
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kanafani
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon; Clinical Research Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: htamim@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Attitude; Knowledge; Practice