Background: Bacterial resistance is a worldwide issue; many studies suggest the reasons that cause this critical problem. Recent studies proved that Saudi Arabia is facing a problem regarding bacterial resistance against antibiotics. This study aimed to focus on the lack of awareness in antibiotics use among the general population and the healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive survey study, based on two questionnaires, was done to estimate the level of awareness of bacterial resistance in the general population and healthcare providers.
Results: The participants were 104 Healthcare providers (HCP) and 282 non-healthcare providers (NHCP). In a period of a year, only 34 (32.7%) HCP had received training regarding antibiotics. In the last 6 months, 43 (41.3%) either prescribed or suggested to others to use an antibiotic. Only 6 (5.8%) HCP believed that the bacterial resistance is not a national problem. Forty-six (44.2%) considered the increasing number of prescribing
an antibiotic as one of the most important causes of bacterial resistance. Moreover, 42 (40.4%) claimed that the excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is a very important reason, and 39 (37.5%) agreed that not removing causative tools of spreading infections, such as medical devices has a negative impact toward antibiotic efficacy. Seventy-eight percent of NHCP agreed that the main reason for the excessive use of antibiotics is that antibiotic accelerates the healing process.
Conclusions: Establishing well-constructed stewardship is critical in Saudi Arabia with the involvement of the whole community, including healthcare providers.
Key words: Antibiotics, bacterial resistance, antibiotic stewardship
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