KNOWLEDGE ON ANTIBIOTICS USE AND ITS STORAGE AMONG SAUDI ARABIA RESIDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge of residents of Saudi Arabia on the antibiotic use and its storage. This was a cross-sectional study. A pre-validated questionnaire was self-administered after translation into Arabic. Demographic factors associated with respondents' knowledge were identified by multiple logistic regressions. The data obtained from the study were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSSIBM) version 23. The questionnaires were completed by 654 (55.50% males and 44.50% females). About three-fifth (66%) of the respondents were in age group of 18-28 years and almost half (48%) of them were with academic degree. Our studies demonstrated a significant difference of average knowledge on antibiotic use as well as on its storage among different age groups and educational level (t = 1.27, p < 0.05). The younger age group, 18-28 years, (OR = 2.40, 2.44) and academic degree holders (OR = 2.48, 2.98) exhibited a greater knowledge on, both knowledge on use and storage of antibiotics, respectively. The knowledge on antibiotic use and its storage is not uniform and consistent across different sections of the society. Hence there is a need to develop innovative tools and educational models to spread the awareness among general public on importance of rational use and storage of antibiotics. Keywords: Antibiotics, Good Storage practice, Knowledge, Perception, Saudi Arabia.