Population knowledge about rational use of antibiotics and antibiotics resistance in Basrah, Iraq

Background: antibiotic abuse and resistance is worrisome issues worldwide especially in Iraq due to irrational use and self-medication use. This study aimed to assess the degree of Knowledge and practices of populations in Basra, southern of Iraq about their proper use of antibiotics. Method: community based cross-sectional study. Well-designed questionnaire was electronically distributed via social media. The data collected from April 2020 to May 2020 and analyzed statistically by using SPSS program. Results: About 1075 participants responded to the questionnaire. About 70.28% of participants, who use antibiotic in last two months before the study, took them directly from the pharmacies without prescriptions. Only half of the participants (51.53%) depend on healthcare professionals as information sources regarding antibiotics use. The Majority of responders have appropriate knowledge relating to identifications of antibiotic among other types of medication. However, only 44.8% identified the target organism that antibiotics used. Similarly, a very large percentage of participants (68%) have the wrong idea about the effectiveness of antibiotics by thinking that injectable antibiotics are more effective than oral. On the other hand, high knowledge is regarding side effects of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Despite the apparently good knowledge, there was a generally wrong practice. Most participants are using antibiotics once they feel with flu and common cold symptoms 42.3% stop the antibiotic once they feel better. Regarding antibiotic resistance, there was a general understanding of the role they would play to decrease these problems and were ready to participate effectively (69.2%). Finally, the correlation was found to be positive and its value was equal to 0.425. This indicates that knowledge accounts for 42.5% of participants practice regarding antibiotics Conclusion: there is generally appropriate knowledge about antibiotic, however there is widespread wrong practices in antibiotic administration and uses. Therefore, immediate attention is required from health care organization in Iraq to prevent antibiotic administration without prescription also there is a need for more awareness campaigns to reduce antibiotic misuse and antibiotic resistance.