Background and Aims: Antibiotic resistance is increasing globally and regionally, posing a significant public health concern.
This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude toward antibiotic use and the prevalence of self‐medication and its association with the knowledge and attitude toward antibiotic use and resistance among private university teachers in Bangladesh.
Methods: This quantitative, cross‐sectional study utilized a convenience sampling technique and included 509 respondents. All
data were collected using both face‐to‐face and online versions. Data were collected through both face‐to‐face and online
surveys with all questions in a closed‐ended format. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS (version 20), employing
frequency analysis, chi‐squared tests, and logistic regression.
Results: Among the respondents, 47.9% demonstrated high knowledge of antibiotic use and resistance. Only 19.3% showed a
strong positive attitude toward antibiotic use and resistance. Self‐medication with antibiotics was reported by 29.0% of
respondents. Logistic regression analysis revealed that female participants were 5.02 times more knowledgeable about antibiotic
use and resistance than male participants (95% CI: 2.72−9.91; p < 0.001). Additionally, respondents over 40 years old had a 3.71
times higher attitude toward antibiotic use and resistance than those aged 30 or below (95% CI: 1.98−7.06; p < 0.001). Females
were 6.79 times more likely to self‐medicate with antibiotics compared to males (95% CI: 3.67−13.43), and respondents aged
31−40 were 3.91 times more likely to practice self‐medication than other age groups (95% CI: 1.07−3.86). Furthermore,
participants with low knowledge and a low attitude toward antibiotic use and resistance were 3.87 times and 4.26 times morelikely to self‐meditate, respectively, than those who had high knowledge and attitude scores (95% CI: 2.00−5.70 and 95% CI:
1.99−5.12).
Conclusion: To combat antibiotic resistance, campaigns and seminars on responsible antibiotic use should be held at university level. Additionally, enforcement of laws prohibiting unnecessary antibiotic sales in retail pharmacies is essential.