Antibiotic resistance awareness in the UAE: Nationwide insights on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions in the post-outbreak era
Pharmacy Practice
Zelal Kharaba1Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates., 2Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates., 3Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK.
Sayer Al-Azzam4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Shoroq M. Altawalbeh4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Alin Alkwarit5Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Noor Abdulkareem Salmeh5Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Yassen Alfoteih6College of Dentistry, City University Ajman, 18484 Ajman, UAE., 7College of Humanities, City University Ajman, Ajman, 18484, United Arab Emirates.
Mohammad Araydah8Department of Internal Medicine, Istishari Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
Reema Karasneh9Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
Hala Al-Obaidi7College of Humanities, City University Ajman, Ajman, 18484, United Arab Emirates., 10School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 7BL, United Kingdom.
Feras Jirjees1Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates., 2Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Ahmad Abuhelwa1Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates., 2Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Yahya H. Dallal Bashi11Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
Lina I. Alnajjar12Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia.
Sawsan Abuhammad13Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE., 14Department of Maternal Child Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Barbara R. Conway15Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK., 16Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK.
Mamoon A. Aldeyab15Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK., 17Pharmacy Department, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK.
Objectives: To provide insights into public knowledge and practices toward antibiotic resistance as well as common behaviours related to antibiotic use and resistance in the UAE. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional, observational investigation into the knowledge, and attitudes, of UAE residents toward antibiotic resistance, using a convenience sampling approach. From May to June 2022, the survey was distributed throughout the seven emirates of the UAE. The methodology was adapted from the WHO's "Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey". The study followed the Strengthening Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting (STROBE) guideline for cross-sectional studies. Results: A total of 1074 individuals completed the survey. Approximately two thirds of the respondents (66.0%) were familiar with the term "Antibiotic resistance". The percentage of respondents who believed that antibiotics could be effective against viral infections decreased from 57.8% to 45.4% after the COVID-19 pandemic period. Additionally, 79.1% of respondents incorrectly believed that antibiotic resistance occurs when their bodies become resistant to antibiotics. Studying in the medical field and having a postgraduate degree were significant predictors of adequate knowledge (Odds ratios were 2.15 and 1.77, respectively). Conclusion: The participants in this study were generally aware of antibiotic resistance; however, incorrect descriptions of antibiotic resistance were frequently encountered. Respondents involved in the medical sector during their studies and those with higher educational degree were more likely to possess adequate knowledge about antibiotic resistance. This evidence can be used to contextualize and enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and success of antimicrobial resistance interventions.
