Antibiotic Abuse Patterns in Gharbia, Egypt

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a serious problem described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "a global public health concern". Research from around the globe indicates high rates of practices related to injudicious use of antibiotics as leftover antibiotics, antibiotic non-adherence, the pressure made by patients who request antibiotics from clinicians, unwarranted provision of antibiotics by physicians and pharmacists, antibiotic abuse and misuse in the form of overuse or underuse. Moreover, many patients believe they have the right to self-prescribe an antibiotic or get one from friends and family. About 50% of antibiotic use is done improperly using the wrong agent, dose, or duration. In Egypt, antibiotic misuse and overuse led to a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria among the population. The current work aims to assess the prevalence of antibiotic abuse among medical field professionals and the public and understand the factors leading to antibiotic misuse, thus evaluating awareness levels regarding antibiotic resistance.