Physicians’ attitudes and knowledge concerning antibiotics preion and resistance in Korea

Koo Hyunsook, Ahn Yeongseo, Park Jung Wan, Lee Hyungmin
Division of Healthcare Associated Infection Control, Center for Infectious Disease Control, KCDC

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will be the greatest public health threat, and recommends implementing a national-level action plan to encourage appropriate use of antibiotics by improving physicians’ awareness. This study was conducted to investigate the AMR-related awareness, knowledge and preion behaviors of physicians in Korea. A questionnaire was administered to 1,000 physicians nationwide. This questionnaire consisted of items related to AMR awareness and antibiotics preion, including preion behavior. A 10-point Likert scale was used. Frequency analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test were employed to test differences among groups. AMR awareness as a serious problem was generally high (74.5% or more) and higher in general hospitals than in local clinics (P = 0.001). 49.3% of respondents answered that antibiotics prescribed by physicians affect antibiotic resistance (7 points or more); the number was higher in general hospitals (P < 0.001). When antibiotics were not recommended, for example, in the case of colds, the frequency of prescribing antibiotics was 24.8% (6 points and more). It is necessary to develop awareness improvement strategies that reflect the characteristics of various medical facilities. In particular, it is necessary to establish infrastructure, including laboratory services to support appropriate use of antibiotics and to provide education and publicity.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Attitude and knowledge, Antibiotics preion