Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Antimicrobial Drug Use and Antimicrobial Resistance Among Patients Admitted to Medical Wards of a Selected Teaching Hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global public health threat. The rising levels of resistance negatively impact healthcare costs, hospital stays, and mortality rates. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge and attitudes regarding antimicrobial drug usage and AMR among patients admitted to the medical wards of Colombo South Teaching Hospital.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. An interviewer-administered questionnaire, developed based on similar studies, was used. The sample consisted of 231 patients selected via convenience sampling. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score below 15 or altered levels of consciousness or abnormal behavior were excluded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, with a significance level set at p<0.05.
Results: Approximately 52.4% of participants had poor knowledge about antimicrobial usage. Among 195 respondents who had taken antibiotics, 82.7% received them through a prescription, while 27.3% of them are regularly using antibiotics without a prescription. A significant 42.9% were unaware of the term "antimicrobial resistance," although 50.2% recognized it as a global health issue. Only 28.71% of participants had a positive attitude towards antimicrobial usage, but 87.5% demonstrated a good attitude towards AMR. About 54.5% perceived they used antimicrobial drugs rationally.
Conclusions: While half of the participants exhibited poor knowledge and attitudes toward antimicrobial drug usage, the majority had a positive attitude toward AMR. Educational programs targeting all societal levels, including school children, are essential to improve public health knowledge.