1INSERM U 1219 - Pharmaco-¨¦pid¨¦miologie et ¨¦valuation de l'impact des produits de sant¨¦ sur les populations, University de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
2Clinical & Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease.
2017,
Vol. 5 No. 2, 35-41
DOI: 10.12691/ajeid-5-2-3
Copyright © 2017 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Malak Khalifeh, Nicholas Moore, Pascale Salameh. Public Knowledge and Attitude towards Antibiotic Use in Lebanon.
American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2017; 5(2):35-41. doi: 10.12691/ajeid-5-2-3.
Correspondence to: Malak Khalifeh, INSERM U 1219 - Pharmaco-¨¦pid¨¦miologie et ¨¦valuation de l'impact des produits de sant¨¦ sur les populations, University de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France. Email:
malak.9@hotmil.comAbstract
Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a major threat in global public health. This study aims to assess the public knowledge, attitude and practice towards antibiotic use among general public in Lebanon. Method: It was a cross sectional study in a community-based pharmacy setting in Lebanon. It used a structured random interview to patients visiting community pharmacy seeking for antibiotics. Descriptive statistics were presented and multivariate logistic regressions were performed in data analysis. Results: A total of 495 participated in the study. The study sample had in general low knowledge (average = 6) and attitude score (average=3.16). High proportion of Lebanese participants believed that antibiotics were used for treatment of common cough cold and sore throat symptoms (59%) or viral infections (53%). 42% preferred to take antibiotics from the pharmacy without physician prescription. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, females showed better knowledge toward antibiotic use compared to males (ORa=1.59, 95%CI=1.01-2.53). Compared to participants aged >50 years old, the level of adequate knowledge was higher in those aged 25-50 years old (ORa=3.66, 95%CI=1.79-7.49). Conclusion: This study identified important knowledge and attitude gaps among general public in Lebanon. Future antibiotic awareness campaigns and patient counselling should be implemented to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
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