Knowledge Towards Antibiotics Use Among Lebanese Adults: A study on the influence of sociodemographic factors

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and antibiotic knowledge in the Lebanese population. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in community pharmacies from all Lebanese governorates. Data were collected by well-trained pharmacists through face-to-face interviews from January 1 until March 31, 2017. The survey tool was adapted from a questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization. A knowledge index was computed for comparative purposes, and a linear regression model was performed to assess factors associated with knowledge. Results: An antibiotic knowledge index was computed for 623 participants, with a minimum score of 3 and a maximum score of 19 (average of 12.5 ± 3.2). Higher knowledge score was inversely correlated with age (r = -0.118; P = 0.003), but no gender differences were reported (12.6 for females vs. 12.3 for males) (P >0.05). However, differences were statistically significant for residence type, educational level, and total household income categories. The linear regression model showed a significant association between residence type and knowledge (urban vs. other areas, B = 0.793; P = 0.011). Furthermore, a higher knowledge index was significantly associated with a higher income combined with higher education (additive scale/B = 1.590; P = 0.025). Finally, interactions between income and age, gender, and residence type were not significant. Conclusion: Individuals residing in urban areas, those with combined high income and high educational levels, are more knowledgeable about antibiotics use and resistance in comparison with other groups. More studies are needed to assess sociodemographic interactions on health literacy.

Keywords: Knowledge; Socioeconomic Factors; Gender; Age; Attitude to Health; Educational Achievements; Residence.