Awareness Regarding Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance among Health Care Professionals and Lay Persons

BACKGROUND Globally antimicrobial resistance is rising, and the Indian scenario is also similar to antimicrobial awareness. The study literature on awareness regarding antimicrobial resistance in public is less in quantity. This study was designed to determine the awareness of antimicrobial resistance and appropriate antimicrobial use among health care professionals and laypersons. METHODS This cross-sectional study was performed at a rural tertiary care hospital in Central India and included junior residents, interns and nurses, patients, and their relatives. Survey tool and data questionnaire were provided to participants in English and Marathi. RESULTS Total 384 people were enrolled as study participants. Health care professionals have more ideas than laypersons regarding antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance. Comparison of knowledge of antimicrobial resistance among hospital staff, patients and their relatives was done. The quantitative measurement of awareness of antimicrobial resistance took place with the help of this study. We were able to find out the prevalence of awareness of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance. CONCLUSIONS This study showed a comparison between study participants for knowledge about antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use regarding factors like education, hand hygiene, income and those working in fields like agriculture, hospital, etc. There is a need to frame policies to prevent excessive use of antimicrobials and increase awareness about the knowledge of antimicrobial resistance in common people. If the knowledge of infection prevention and control (IPC) is well-known to everyone, the antimicrobial resistance will not be left for the treatment.