Antibiotic Resistance Awareness in Kosovo: Insights from the WHO Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, rendering common bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat and placing considerable strain on healthcare systems. This study assesses public awareness, perceptions, and behavior...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
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| author | Flaka Pasha Valon Krasniqi Adelina Ismaili Shaip Krasniqi Elton Bahtiri Hasime Qorraj Bytyqi Valmira Kolshi Krasniqi Blana Krasniqi |
| author_facet | Flaka Pasha Valon Krasniqi Adelina Ismaili Shaip Krasniqi Elton Bahtiri Hasime Qorraj Bytyqi Valmira Kolshi Krasniqi Blana Krasniqi |
| author_sort | Flaka Pasha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, rendering common bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat and placing considerable strain on healthcare systems. This study assesses public awareness, perceptions, and behaviors related to antibiotic use and AMR in Kosovo, a country with limited existing data on the topic. <b>Methods:</b> Using a cross-sectional survey design, 568 participants from diverse demographic backgrounds provided insights into their knowledge and practices concerning antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. <b>Results:</b> The results revealed that although 75% of participants had heard of antibiotic resistance, only a limited proportion understood key terms. Knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use varied, with 67% of respondents correctly recognizing the need to complete a prescribed antibiotic course, while 29% believed it was acceptable to stop treatment once they felt better. Gender and educational level emerged as significant factors, with women and more educated individuals demonstrating greater awareness of proper antibiotic use and the risks of misuse. While 71% of respondents considered it unacceptable to use antibiotics prescribed to others, 41% believed it was acceptable to reuse previously effective antibiotics. Most participants (96%) reported obtaining antibiotics through prescriptions. Public awareness of AMR was generally high, but conceptual understanding remained limited, with misconceptions about the origins of resistance, incorrectly attributing it to the human body rather than bacteria. <b>Conclusions:</b> Targeted public health campaigns, guided by the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health, are needed. A multifaceted strategy, including education, policy reforms, and international collaboration, is essential to mitigate AMR and preserve the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-12a040e2010340479defd5da5b0b4cc1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj-art-12a040e2010340479defd5da5b0b4cc12025-08-20T02:24:25ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822025-06-0114659910.3390/antibiotics14060599Antibiotic Resistance Awareness in Kosovo: Insights from the WHO Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness SurveyFlaka Pasha0Valon Krasniqi1Adelina Ismaili2Shaip Krasniqi3Elton Bahtiri4Hasime Qorraj Bytyqi5Valmira Kolshi Krasniqi6Blana Krasniqi7Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, 10000 Prishtine, KosovoDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, 10000 Prishtine, KosovoDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, 10000 Prishtine, KosovoDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, 10000 Prishtine, KosovoDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, 10000 Prishtine, KosovoDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, 10000 Prishtine, KosovoDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, 10000 Prishtine, KosovoDepartment of General Medicine, University of Medicine, 1009 Tirana, Albania<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, rendering common bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat and placing considerable strain on healthcare systems. This study assesses public awareness, perceptions, and behaviors related to antibiotic use and AMR in Kosovo, a country with limited existing data on the topic. <b>Methods:</b> Using a cross-sectional survey design, 568 participants from diverse demographic backgrounds provided insights into their knowledge and practices concerning antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. <b>Results:</b> The results revealed that although 75% of participants had heard of antibiotic resistance, only a limited proportion understood key terms. Knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use varied, with 67% of respondents correctly recognizing the need to complete a prescribed antibiotic course, while 29% believed it was acceptable to stop treatment once they felt better. Gender and educational level emerged as significant factors, with women and more educated individuals demonstrating greater awareness of proper antibiotic use and the risks of misuse. While 71% of respondents considered it unacceptable to use antibiotics prescribed to others, 41% believed it was acceptable to reuse previously effective antibiotics. Most participants (96%) reported obtaining antibiotics through prescriptions. Public awareness of AMR was generally high, but conceptual understanding remained limited, with misconceptions about the origins of resistance, incorrectly attributing it to the human body rather than bacteria. <b>Conclusions:</b> Targeted public health campaigns, guided by the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health, are needed. A multifaceted strategy, including education, policy reforms, and international collaboration, is essential to mitigate AMR and preserve the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/6/599antimicrobial resistance (AMR)antibiotic misusepublic health awarenessself-medicationOne Health approach |
| spellingShingle | Flaka Pasha Valon Krasniqi Adelina Ismaili Shaip Krasniqi Elton Bahtiri Hasime Qorraj Bytyqi Valmira Kolshi Krasniqi Blana Krasniqi Antibiotic Resistance Awareness in Kosovo: Insights from the WHO Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey Antibiotics antimicrobial resistance (AMR) antibiotic misuse public health awareness self-medication One Health approach |
| title | Antibiotic Resistance Awareness in Kosovo: Insights from the WHO Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey |
| title_full | Antibiotic Resistance Awareness in Kosovo: Insights from the WHO Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey |
| title_fullStr | Antibiotic Resistance Awareness in Kosovo: Insights from the WHO Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Antibiotic Resistance Awareness in Kosovo: Insights from the WHO Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey |
| title_short | Antibiotic Resistance Awareness in Kosovo: Insights from the WHO Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey |
| title_sort | antibiotic resistance awareness in kosovo insights from the who antibiotic resistance multi country public awareness survey |
| topic | antimicrobial resistance (AMR) antibiotic misuse public health awareness self-medication One Health approach |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/6/599 |
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