Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards the usage of antibiotics amongst outpatients of the department of general medicine

Background: Adequate knowledge, attitude and practices about the use of antibiotics are essential for effective treatment and the cure of diseases.Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards the use of antibiotics among the outpatients of the general medicine department and to find the factors that are significantly associated with it.Materials and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of eight months duration was carried out among 263 outpatients, in the department of general medicine. The socio-demographic details pertaining to the patients were collected in a well-designed data collection form. The knowledge, attitude and practice of the subjects were assessed by using previously validated KAP questionnaire. Results: The highest number of subjects were found to be females, 135 (51.3%), and most of the subjects belonged to the age category of 18-34 years, 107 (40.7%). The mean score of knowledge, attitude and practice were found to be 62.74 & PLUSMN; 23.28, 76.96 & PLUSMN; 17.73, and 52.55 & PLUSMN; 14.06 respectively. Age, domiciliary status, educational qualification, occupation, and socio-economic class were found to be the factors significantly associated with knowledge. Factors significantly associated with attitude were found to be age, educational qualification and socio-economic class whereas only educational qualification and occupation were found associated with practice.Conclusion: The results of the current study will serve as the foundation for future implications to enhance public knowledge and perceptions regarding antibiotic usage.