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29% did not obtain their last antibiotic through a doctor or nurse
A recent regional study has revealed a concerning gap between awareness of antibiotic resistance and practices related to their use in Jordan.
The study showed that only about a third of the Jordanian sample possess a good level of knowledge about this resistance, amidst warnings that the inappropriate use of antibiotics threatens their effectiveness and increases the difficulty of treating bacterial infections.
Professor and Clinical Pharmacotherapy Consultant Dr. Dirar Belbeisi explained that the study, published in the scientific journal "Pharmacia" and involving 12,729 people from seven Arab countries including Jordan, showed that individuals' knowledge of the term antibiotic resistance does not necessarily mean understanding its risks or adhering to the correct use of these drugs.
He added in a statement to "Alrai" that resistance occurs when bacteria become able to resist the drugs used against them, and not as a result of the human body getting used to the treatment, warning that overusing antibiotics or taking them without medical need contributes to the spread of resistant bacteria and makes infections more difficult and costly to treat.
Belbeisi pointed out that the study included 1,370 people from Jordan, 33.6% of whom showed a good level of knowledge about antibiotic resistance, while the percentage dropped to 23.9% among respondents from the south of the Kingdom.
He noted that 29.1% of those who answered the question about obtaining the last antibiotic in Jordan reported that they did not obtain it or its prescription from a doctor or nurse, reflecting the importance of enhancing awareness of the responsible use of these medicines.
He pointed out that the study, which also included Egypt, Palestine, Algeria, Sudan, Syria, and Libya, showed that 82.3% had heard of antibiotic resistance, but only 42.6% possessed good knowledge of it, compared to 41.7% with a moderate level and 15.7% with a poor level.
He continued that the study relied on an electronic questionnaire and a non-random sample, which calls for caution when generalizing its results to the population.
Belbeisi revealed that only 49% realized that antibiotics do not treat influenza, as it is a viral infection, while only 24% knew that infection with resistant bacteria could affect anyone, even those who do not use antibiotics regularly.
He stressed that 17.9% believed in the possibility of stopping treatment as soon as they felt better, while 13.3% saw that sharing antibiotics with others is acceptable when disease symptoms are similar.
According to Belbeisi, similarity of symptoms does not mean identical diagnosis, stressing the necessity of adhering to treatment instructions and not modifying it without consulting a specialist.
He pointed out that 86.5% identified pharmacies or medicine stores as a source for obtaining antibiotics, compared to only 14.3% who mentioned pharmacists as a source of information regarding its resistance.
He considered that these results highlight the importance of enhancing the educational role of the pharmacist in clarifying the reasons for using the treatment, its dosages, and potential drug interactions, and correcting misconceptions among patients.
Belbeisi stressed that confronting antibiotic resistance requires cooperation among doctors, pharmacists, and health institutions, and enhancing responsible prescribing and dispensing, alongside expanding awareness campaigns to include various governorates and societal groups.
He called for developing clear awareness messages that take into account differences in knowledge levels, utilizing schools, health centers, and digital platforms, and encouraging vaccination and hand hygiene to limit the spread of infection.
Belbeisi noted that preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics is a shared societal responsibility, and that the success of awareness must be measured by the improvement of health practices, not merely by knowing medical terms.
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