A Survey of Public Knowledge and Attitude Related to Antibiotic use and Antibiotic Resistance among Saudi People in Northern Region of Saudi Arabia

Background: The antibacterial resistance is emerging problem worldwide. This phenomenon is nowadays affecting public health dramatically on the global level. Public knowledge is considered a prerequisite for appropriate use of antibiotics and limited spread of antibiotic resistance. Our aim was to evaluate the level of knowledge, beliefs, attitude and behaviors toward antibiotic resistance among Saudi public in northern border region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in northern border region of Saudi Arabia using a self-administeredquestionnaire in Arabic language and all data were analyzed by means of descriptive analysis. Results: More than two thirds of study subjects reported that they heard about antibiotic resistance and 35% of them mentioned the social media as the source of information about this issue, only 44% of study subjects were aware that antibiotic resistance means that bacteria would not be killed by antibiotic, 42% were aware that antibiotic resistance bacteria is difficult to eradicate, 58% were aware that indiscriminate use of antibiotics is the cause of bacterial resistance, 34% were aware that use antibiotic when there is no need is a cause for bacterial resistance,38% were aware that incomplete course of antibiotic lead to bacterial resistance,43% of study subjects take antibiotic without prescription, 42% stop antibiotic when symptoms improve and47% of study subjects believed that influenza and common cold can be treated with antibiotics. Conclusion: Our community still has some misconception and insufficient knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance. There is great concern surrounding the development and spread of resistance resulting from poor knowledge about the dangers of self-medication and misuse of antibiotics.