Antibiotic Resistance Awareness in Kosovo: Insights from the WHO Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey.

IF 4.3 2区 医学 Q1 INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Flaka Pasha, Valon Krasniqi, Adelina Ismaili, Shaip Krasniqi, Elton Bahtiri, Hasime Qorraj Bytyqi, Valmira Kolshi Krasniqi, Blana Krasniqi
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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, rendering common bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat and placing considerable strain on healthcare systems. This study assesses public awareness, perceptions, and behaviors related to antibiotic use and AMR in Kosovo, a country with limited existing data on the topic. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design, 568 participants from diverse demographic backgrounds provided insights into their knowledge and practices concerning antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. Results: The results revealed that although 75% of participants had heard of antibiotic resistance, only a limited proportion understood key terms. Knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use varied, with 67% of respondents correctly recognizing the need to complete a prescribed antibiotic course, while 29% believed it was acceptable to stop treatment once they felt better. Gender and educational level emerged as significant factors, with women and more educated individuals demonstrating greater awareness of proper antibiotic use and the risks of misuse. While 71% of respondents considered it unacceptable to use antibiotics prescribed to others, 41% believed it was acceptable to reuse previously effective antibiotics. Most participants (96%) reported obtaining antibiotics through prescriptions. Public awareness of AMR was generally high, but conceptual understanding remained limited, with misconceptions about the origins of resistance, incorrectly attributing it to the human body rather than bacteria. Conclusions: Targeted public health campaigns, guided by the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health, are needed. A multifaceted strategy, including education, policy reforms, and international collaboration, is essential to mitigate AMR and preserve the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations.

科索沃抗生素耐药性认识:来自世卫组织抗生素耐药性的见解:多国公众认识调查。
背景/目的:抗菌素耐药性(AMR)构成严重的全球健康威胁,使常见的细菌感染越来越难以治疗,并给卫生保健系统带来相当大的压力。本研究评估了科索沃与抗生素使用和抗生素耐药性相关的公众意识、观念和行为,这个国家在这方面的现有数据有限。方法:采用横断面调查设计,568名来自不同人口统计学背景的参与者提供了他们对抗生素使用和抗生素耐药性的知识和实践的见解。结果:结果显示,虽然75%的参与者听说过抗生素耐药性,但只有有限比例的人理解关键术语。对适当使用抗生素的认识各不相同,67%的答复者正确认识到需要完成规定的抗生素疗程,而29%的答复者认为一旦感觉好些就可以停止治疗。性别和教育水平成为重要因素,妇女和受教育程度较高的个人对正确使用抗生素和滥用风险表现出更强的认识。虽然71%的答复者认为不能接受使用给他人开的抗生素,但41%的答复者认为可以重复使用以前有效的抗生素。大多数参与者(96%)报告通过处方获得抗生素。公众对抗菌素耐药性的认识普遍较高,但概念上的理解仍然有限,对耐药性的来源存在误解,错误地将其归因于人体而不是细菌。结论:需要有针对性的公共卫生运动,以“同一个健康”方针为指导,将人类、动物和环境卫生结合起来。一项多方面的战略,包括教育、政策改革和国际合作,对于减轻抗生素耐药性和为子孙后代保留抗生素的功效至关重要。
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来源期刊
Antibiotics-Basel
Antibiotics-Basel Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics-General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
CiteScore
7.30
自引率
14.60%
发文量
1547
审稿时长
11 weeks
期刊介绍: Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382) is an open access, peer reviewed journal on all aspects of antibiotics. Antibiotics is a multi-disciplinary journal encompassing the general fields of biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, microbiology and pharmacology. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. Therefore, there is no restriction on the length of papers.
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