Assessment of awareness, knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, and antibiotic use among the population in Oyam district.

Abstract

With a population estimate of 49 million people, the major causes of mortality in Uganda are infectious diseases. Consequently, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) poses a threat to the control of infectious diseases. The study assessed awareness, knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, and antibiotic use among the population in Oyam district. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design using quantitative approach. Data collection tools and consent form were reviewed and approved by IRB reference MakSHSIRB. Data was collected using survey questionnaires from a sample of 369 respondents. The study found that majority of respondents reported taking antibiotics within the past 6 months. Respondents obtained the antibiotics they utilized from a medical store or pharmacy. A portion of respondents reported using antibiotics they had saved from a previous occasion. The bulk of respondents utilized antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. A significant portion expressed acceptance of using antibiotics intended for a friend or family member, provided they treated the same ailment. Majority believed it permissible to purchase or request identical antibiotics if they had previously proven effective for similar symptoms. Majority of respondents were aware that humans could develop resistance to antibiotics. The vast majority of respondents were unfamiliar with the term "antibiotic resistance”. Most respondents had never encountered the term "antimicrobial resistance". Additionally, the majority had never heard of "drug resistance." Furthermore, a significant proportion of respondents had no prior knowledge of "antibiotic-resistant bacteria." Majority of respondents identified doctors/prescribers, patients/consumers, chemists/pharmacists, government or regulatory authorities, and the community as essential stakeholders in addressing the issue of antibiotic resistance. The majority of participants have discontinued antibiotic treatment before completing the prescribed course. Additionally, most respondents kept antibiotics at home and requesting physicians for antibiotic prescriptions. The study recommends the urgent need for public health interventions aimed at promoting appropriate antibiotic use, increasing awareness about the risks of self-medication and antibiotic resistance, and encouraging individuals to seek guidance from healthcare professionals before using antibiotics.