Analysis of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance awareness among community members in Ghana and Burkina Faso.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. As human behaviour plays a crucial role in the emergence and spread of resistance, data on the understanding of AMR awareness are very important for assessing the situation and developing effective interventions. The aim of this study was to analyse the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to antibiotics and awareness towards antibiotic resistance among community members in two districts in Ghana, and Burkina Faso.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data on socio-demographic, economic factors, and KAP. In Burkina Faso a simple randomization was carried out, whereas in Ghana we performed a double-stage randomization. The data was collected using an electronic data capture between February and March 2023 in Ghana, and from July to November 2023 in Burkina Faso. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, and logistic regressions.

Results: A total of 1,114 participants in Ghana and 1,011 in Burkina Faso were included. The majority knew the term "Antibiotic" (Ghana: n = 687, 61.67%; Burkina Faso: n = 767, 75.87%), but only a minority were aware of AMR (Ghana: n = 381, 34.2%; Burkina Faso: n = 270, 26.71%). In both countries, participants had a middle level of knowledge about antibiotics (Ghana: n = 597; 53.59%, Burkina Faso: n = 502, 49.65%), positive attitudes towards antibiotic utilization (Ghana: n = 702, 63.02%; Burkina Faso: n = 510, 50.45%), and most of them reported a responsible use of antibiotics (Ghana: n = 875, 78.55%; Burkina Faso: n = 713, 70.52%).

Conclusions: Despite familiarity with antibiotics, self-reported responsible use did not align with actual observed behaviours in both countries. Additionally, a significant lack of awareness about AMR highlights the need for a targeted educational intervention to enhance understanding of its risks and increase appropriate practices.