"Public's Perception, Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour on Antibiotic Resistance-A survey in Davangere City, India"

The questionnaire based study was carried out with the focus to assess the awareness, behavioural attitude and practice towards antibiotic usage and development of its resistance among the patients visiting outpatient Department of Periodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital of Davangere, Karnataka.

Of all the participants who took part in the study, 74.2% patients had no knowledge and 75% of them were unaware of ill effects of antibiotic resistance. 70% patients showed confusion between Antibiotic and Antiviral drugs. On assessing patient's behavioural attitude towards practice of antibiotics, 80.4% patients were found to practice incomplete antibiotic course and 64.5% patients shared their antibiotics with a sick family member. During emergencies, 74.7% patients used the kept antibiotic stock without seeing the expiry date. 86.2% patients found to have a practice of taking previously prescribed antibiotic again for the similar incidence without consulting a doctor. 74.5% patients expected to get antibiotic prescription whenever they consult a doctor.

Although the results of this study cannot be generalized to other cities of India, unawareness of antibiotic resistance and poor behavioural attitude towards the antibiotic usage can be a concern for Karnataka state or even a contributing factor of antibiotic resistance in India. It highlights the need of educational interventions to increase the alertness about the consequences of antibiotic misuse and/or abuse and also to develop responsible behavioural attitude to practice antibiotic usage. The vital role played by them in prevention of antibiotic resistance can produce a powerful impact not only on individuals but also on the community to combat this universal threat.