Authors :
Dr. Arun Murugan S.; Dr. Kavitha; Dr. Jeyalakshmi; Dr. Agilan N. R. R.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/bdez5zfn
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/57ar2svk
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar135
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Background:
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global threat to public health, driven by inappropriate antibiotic use and limited
public awareness. Understanding knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in rural communities is essential to design
targeted interventions.
Objectives:
To assess knowledge, attitude and practice regarding antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among rural population in
rural Tamil Nadu, India.
Methods:
A WHO style public awareness questionnaire was used to perform a community-based cross-sectional survey.
Responses from 207 participants were analysed (descriptive statistics; chi-square test for associations : p<0.05 considered
as significant).
Results:
Mean age was 46.3 ± 16.8 years, 51.7% were female. Overall, 53.6% had heard the term “antibiotic resistance”. Correct
knowledge was lowest for statements that antibiotics do not work for colds/flu (29.0%) and that incomplete courses can lead
to resistance (30.0%). Most respondents had poor knowledge scores (0–2 correct answers) (53.1%), while 4.3% had good
knowledge (≥5 correct). Self-medication behaviours were common: 34.3% agreed they had purchased antibiotics without a
prescription and 33.3% agreed they had taken antibiotics recommended by others. In multiple-response items, common
sources of antibiotics included pharmacies without prescription (27.5%) and leftover antibiotics (27.5%). No statistically
significant associations were observed between awareness/knowledge and education level in chi-square testing (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
Knowledge regarding appropriate antibiotic use and AMR was suboptimal, and potentially risky practices were
frequent in this rural sample. Community-based awareness and pharmacy-focused stewardship interventions are needed.
Keywords :
Antibiotics; Antimicrobial Resistance; Knowledge Attitude Practice; Rural; Tamil Nadu; India.
References :
- World Health Organization. Antibiotic resistance: multi-country public awareness survey. WHO; 2015.
- National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. National AMR Surveillance Network (NARS-Net) annual report (Jan–Dec 2024).
- Rao S, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in a community setting (India). 2025.
- Muflih SM, et al. Public health literacy, knowledge, and awareness about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance: a cross-sectional study. Antibiotics (Basel). 2021.
- Chakrabarti A, et al. NAMS task force report on antimicrobial resistance. 2025.
Background:
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global threat to public health, driven by inappropriate antibiotic use and limited
public awareness. Understanding knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in rural communities is essential to design
targeted interventions.
Objectives:
To assess knowledge, attitude and practice regarding antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among rural population in
rural Tamil Nadu, India.
Methods:
A WHO style public awareness questionnaire was used to perform a community-based cross-sectional survey.
Responses from 207 participants were analysed (descriptive statistics; chi-square test for associations : p<0.05 considered
as significant).
Results:
Mean age was 46.3 ± 16.8 years, 51.7% were female. Overall, 53.6% had heard the term “antibiotic resistance”. Correct
knowledge was lowest for statements that antibiotics do not work for colds/flu (29.0%) and that incomplete courses can lead
to resistance (30.0%). Most respondents had poor knowledge scores (0–2 correct answers) (53.1%), while 4.3% had good
knowledge (≥5 correct). Self-medication behaviours were common: 34.3% agreed they had purchased antibiotics without a
prescription and 33.3% agreed they had taken antibiotics recommended by others. In multiple-response items, common
sources of antibiotics included pharmacies without prescription (27.5%) and leftover antibiotics (27.5%). No statistically
significant associations were observed between awareness/knowledge and education level in chi-square testing (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
Knowledge regarding appropriate antibiotic use and AMR was suboptimal, and potentially risky practices were
frequent in this rural sample. Community-based awareness and pharmacy-focused stewardship interventions are needed.
Keywords :
Antibiotics; Antimicrobial Resistance; Knowledge Attitude Practice; Rural; Tamil Nadu; India.
