Public Knowledge and Attitude towards Antibiotic Use in Lebanon

Malak Khalifeh^{1, 2,} , Nicholas Moore¹ and Pascale Salameh²

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

Cite this paper:
Malak Khalifeh, Nicholas Moore and 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

Abstract

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.

Keywords:
antibiotic knowledge attitude Lebanon

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