Public KAP towards COVID-19 and Antibiotics Resistance: A Malaysian Survey of Knowledge and Awareness
Chee Tao Changa, Ming Leeb, Jason Choong Yin Leec, Nicholas Chor Teng Leed, Tsu Yin Nge, Asrul Akmal Shafief✉, Kah Shuen Thongd
- aClinical Research Centre, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Ipoh 30450, Malaysia
- bKlinik Kesihatan Kampung Simee, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Ipoh 31400, Malaysia
- cPerak Pharmaceutical Services Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Tanjung Rambutan 31250, Malaysia
- dPharmacy Department, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Ipoh 30450, Malaysia
- eKlinik Kesihatan Taiping, Perak, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Taiping 30400, Malaysia
- fSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the Malaysian public on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and antibiotics, the practice of preventive measures and attitude towards the new norms. The web-based questionnaire was disseminated online from 1 to 31 October 2020. Out of 2117 respondents, 1405 (66.4%) knew that transmission of COVID-19 virus could happen in asymptomatic people. In term of antibiotics knowledge, 779 (36.8%) respondents were aware that taking antibiotics could not speed up the recovery process of all infections. Less than half of the respondents (49.0%) knew that antibiotics are effective against bacterial infection only. Majority (92.3%) practiced good preventive measures. Majority of the respondents strongly agreed that quarantine should be made mandatory for all arrival from overseas (97.2%) and wearing face masks should be made mandatory in all public areas (94.0%). Respondents of Chinese ethnicity (p = 0.008), middle-aged (p = 0.002), with tertiary education (p = 0.015) and healthcare related education (p < 0.001), from the higher income groups (p = 0.001) were more likely to have better knowledge on COVID-19. The Malaysian public demonstrated good knowledge towards COVID-19, adequate practice of preventive measures and high acceptance towards the new norm. Knowledge on antibiotics use and resistance was poor, which warrants attention from the health authorities.
TL;DRThe Malaysian public demonstrated good knowledge towards COVID-19, adequate practice of preventive measures and high acceptance towards the new norm, while knowledge on antibiotics use and resistance was poor, which warrants attention from the health authorities. (Semantic Scholar)