Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use in Bangladesh: Findings from a cross-sectional study

Background Escalating antibiotic resistance presents a notable worldwide dilemma, pointing a large involvement of general population. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the utilization of antibiotics among Bangladeshi residents. Methods A cross-sectional study, conducted from January 01 to April 25, 2022, included 1,947 Bangladeshi adults with a history of antibiotic use, via online surveys and face-to-face interviews using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariate linear regression models were employed. Results Mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 6.59 +/- 1.20, 8.34 +/- 1.19, and 12.74 +/- 2.59, with correct rates of 73.22%, 92.67%, and 57.91%. Positive predictors for knowledge included being unmarried (beta = 0.10, p = 0.001), higher education (College: beta = 0.09, p = 0.025; Bachelor: beta = 0.22, p<0.001; Master or above: beta = 0.14, p<0.001), various professions (student: beta = 0.57, p<0.001; housewife: beta = 0.33, p<0.001; employee: beta = 0.53, p<0.001; businessman: beta = 0.31, p<0.001; unemployed: beta = 0.15, p<0.001), and residing in semi-urban (beta = 0.32, p<0.001) or urban areas (beta = 0.15, p<0.001). Positive predictors for attitudes included being married (beta = 0.18, p<0.001), specific professions (student: beta = 1.06, p<0.001; housewife: beta = 0.33, p<0.001; employee: beta = 0.86, p<0.001; businessman: beta = 0.37, p<0.001; unemployed: beta = 0.47, p<0.001), higher SES (Lower-middle: beta = 0.22, p<0.001; Middle: beta = 0.26, p<0.001), and residing in semi-urban areas (beta = 0.18, p<0.001); negative predictors included higher education (College: beta = -0.12, p = 0.001; Master or above: beta = -0.09, p = 0.008) and being rich (beta = -0.13, p<0.001). Positive predictors for practices included being married (beta = 0.18, p<0.001), specific professions (student: beta = 0.32, p<0.001; employee: beta = 0.43, p<0.001; businessman: beta = 10, p = 0.034; unemployed: beta = 0.11, p = 0.009), and higher SES (Lower-middle: beta = 0.14, p = 0.009; Middle: beta = 0.38, p<0.001; Higher-middle: beta = 0.15, p = 0.008); negative predictors included higher education (College: beta = -0.21, p<0.001), being rich (beta = -0.12, p<0.001), residing in semi-urban (beta = -0.14, p<0.001) or urban areas (beta = -0.16, p<0.001). Conclusions Participants exhibited adequate knowledge and positive attitudes but lagged behind in proper practice of antibiotic use. Proper initiatives should be tailored to enhance prudent antibiotic use and mitigate the risk of antimicrobial resistance.