RESUMO
Background Antibiotic overuse is a critical global health issue, and patient attitudes and expectations play a significant role in the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Limited research has been conducted on patient knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of antibiotic use in Saudi Arabia. This survey aimed to assess patients' knowledge and attitudes related to antibiotic use in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional survey using a convenience sampling method was conducted in Saudi Arabia. An online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, antibiotic knowledge, and attitudes. Results The study included 400 patients, with a mean age of 39 years and an equal gender distribution (54% female). Most participants (75%) had not used antibiotics in the past year. Patients demonstrated moderate knowledge about antibiotics, with 81% recognizing that antibiotics can cause side effects and 69% knowing that overuse can lead to resistance. However, only 44% knew that antibiotics are not effective for all infections, and only half (50%) knew that antibiotics work against bacteria, not viruses. Patients held mixed attitudes toward antibiotic prescribing, with 25% believing it was essential to take antibiotics for every infection and 44% believing healthcare providers should prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections. Logistic regression analyses showed that patient expectations for antibiotic prescribing were strongly associated with inappropriate antibiotic use. In contrast, patient satisfaction with antibiotic prescribing was negatively associated with inappropriate antibiotic use. Lower health literacy levels were also associated with inappropriate antibiotic use. Conclusion The study underscores the need for interventions that promote patient education and communication to ensure appropriate antibiotic use in primary care. Patient attitudes and beliefs, such as their expectations for antibiotic prescribing and health literacy levels, were identified as significant predictors of inappropriate antibiotic use.
RESUMO
Background Non-adherence to medication is a common problem in managing chronic diseases, which are a significant public health concern globally. This study aimed to identify factors related to medication adherence among patients with chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data through an online survey administered to 400 patients with chronic diseases residing in Jeddah between January and March 2023. The survey included questions about socio-demographic characteristics, chronic disease diagnosis, medication adherence, and factors that may influence medication adherence. Results This study recruited 400 participants and found that the majority were female, with a mean age of 46.2 years, and most had at least one chronic disease, with hypertension and diabetes being the most common. The medication adherence score for the entire sample was 5.4, indicating moderate adherence. Overall, 22.9% of study participants had poor adherence to medications. Factors associated with medication adherence included age, gender, and education level, with older age, female gender, and higher education being positively associated with adherence. Medication-related factors such as the number of medications prescribed, medication complexity, and medication cost were also found to be significantly associated with medication adherence. Conclusion Our study of medication adherence among chronic disease patients in Saudi Arabia found that adherence rates were moderate, with several factors significantly associated with better adherence. Specifically, older age, female gender, and higher education level were positively associated with better adherence, while a higher number of prescribed medications, more complex medication regimens, and higher medication costs were all significant predictors of poorer adherence.