Abstract
Background: Antibiotic resistance is an increasingly important
public health issue. When discussing the source of this problem, the
training of intern doctors is highly important. Objectives:
This study aimed to measure the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of
intern doctors about antibiotic treatment and to determine the situation
on the subject. Materials and Methods: A 34-question
questionnaire was prepared for the study, and volunteers were
administered the questionnaire face-to-face or via a Google survey form
on a mobile WatsApp application. Prospectively, 221 volunteer physicians
participated in the survey, which was conducted between March 15-22,
2024. Results: Of the study participants, 118 (53.4%) were
male, and 103 (46.6%) were female. The mean age (mean+SD) was 24
(24.46+1.83). Although a high percentage of respondents responded that
their general antibiotic knowledge was correct, this percentage was low
for the questions about antibiotic usage. The responses regarding the
relationship between incorrect usage and resistance were generally
correct. However, the underlying resistance mechanisms are not fully
understood. The importance of resistance is not well known. This was
supported by the fact that antibiotics should be started in every case
of fever. Another false perception was that antibiotic treatment should
be discontinued immediately when the patient’s clinical condition is
relieved and the remaining antibiotics should be stored and reused.
There was a significant but weak positive correlation between age and
antibiotic knowledge and between age and resistance awareness (p=0.002
and p=0.007, respectively). A significant difference was also found
between the attitude and perception scores according to gender
(p=0.002). There was a significant (p=0.003) but moderate positive
correlation between antibiotic knowledge and resistance awareness and a
significant (p<0.001) but weak positive correlation between
antibiotic knowledge and attitude and perception scores.
Conclusion: Increasing the level of knowledge of intern doctors
about general antibiotic usage and resistance will increase resistance
awareness and correct false attitudes and perceptions.