TY - JOUR
T1 - Prescriber knowledge, behaviour and attitudes regarding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in Oman
AU - Al-Hashimy, Zainab Said
AU - Conway, Barbara R.
AU - Al-Azzam, Sayer
AU - Karasneh, Reema
AU - Al Harthi, Said Saud
AU - Bond, Stuart E.
AU - Aldeyab, Mamoon A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This paper was not funded. We thank the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) for sharing its questionnaire with us to conduct this study.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2025/9/1
Y1 - 2025/9/1
N2 - Background: Antimicrobial resistance threatens patients, healthcare systems, and the world’s economy. Antimicrobial stewardship programs use evidence-based strategies to monitor and assess antibiotic use. This study aimed to identify prescribers’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in Oman. Research design and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire that was adapted from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control instruments. The survey was distributed among prescribers in Oman’s Ministry of Health. Results: The survey included a total of 371 prescribers. Most respondents were specialists, and 73% worked in hospitals. Antibiotics’ effectiveness against viruses, needless use, and adverse effects were accurately answered by over 95% of prescribers. Eighty-four percent of prescribers realized the connection between their prescribing of antibiotics and the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Approximately 80% agreed that they address antibiotic resistance and consider it when treating patients. Around 70% of prescribers knew of the Oman national action plan to combat antibiotic resistance. Sixty-six percent of prescribers wanted information regarding antibiotic resistance, 49% about antibiotic use, and 40% about antibiotic prescriptions and medical problems. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for interventions to inform prescriber knowledge and behavior, improve antibiotic prescribing practices, and combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
AB - Background: Antimicrobial resistance threatens patients, healthcare systems, and the world’s economy. Antimicrobial stewardship programs use evidence-based strategies to monitor and assess antibiotic use. This study aimed to identify prescribers’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in Oman. Research design and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire that was adapted from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control instruments. The survey was distributed among prescribers in Oman’s Ministry of Health. Results: The survey included a total of 371 prescribers. Most respondents were specialists, and 73% worked in hospitals. Antibiotics’ effectiveness against viruses, needless use, and adverse effects were accurately answered by over 95% of prescribers. Eighty-four percent of prescribers realized the connection between their prescribing of antibiotics and the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Approximately 80% agreed that they address antibiotic resistance and consider it when treating patients. Around 70% of prescribers knew of the Oman national action plan to combat antibiotic resistance. Sixty-six percent of prescribers wanted information regarding antibiotic resistance, 49% about antibiotic use, and 40% about antibiotic prescriptions and medical problems. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for interventions to inform prescriber knowledge and behavior, improve antibiotic prescribing practices, and combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
KW - Antibiotic resistance
KW - antibiotic use
KW - antimicrobial stewardship
KW - behavior
KW - physicians
KW - prescribers’ knowledge
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105012412043&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/14787210.2025.2538613
DO - 10.1080/14787210.2025.2538613
M3 - Article
C2 - 40708192
AN - SCOPUS:105012412043
SN - 1478-7210
VL - 23
SP - 843
EP - 852
JO - Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
JF - Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
IS - 9
ER -
