Abstract :
Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, primarilydriven by the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics. This leads to ineffectivetreatments, prolonged illnesses, increased healthcare costs, and higher mortalityrates. Understanding public attitudes towards antibiotic use is crucial fordeveloping strategies to combat AMR, especially in regions with high antibioticconsumption. This research aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, andpractices related to antibiotic use and resistance among the general public inDakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India. A cross-sectional descriptive study wasconducted with 569 participants aged 18 and above, selected through stratifiedrandom sampling to represent various demographic segments. Data were collectedusing a structured questionnaire distributed both online and offline over onemonth. The study found that 75.6% of participants were aware of AMR, withhealthcare professionals being the primary source of information (49.2%). Despitehigh awareness, 35.0% reported using antibiotics without prescriptions, and 28.1%admitted to stopping antibiotics prematurely. Additionally, 24.6% incorrectlybelieved that antibiotics could cure viral infections, although 72.0% recognized theconsequences of improper antibiotic use.While there is a significant awareness ofAMR in Dakshina Kannada, concerning behaviors regarding antibiotic misusepersist. Targeted educational initiatives are essential to promote responsibleantibiotic use and mitigate the threat of AMR. Limitations of the study includepotential biases from self-reported data and a sample size that may not fullyrepresent the diverse population of the region. However, the findings highlight theneed for region-specific strategies to address AMR effectively.
Keyword :
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic consumption, public attitudes, Dakshina Kannada, healthcare practices.