Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance and Antibiotic Use Among Patients Attending the Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital

A hospital-based cross-sectional study among 259 adult outpatients examined knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Although most participants (93%) had heard of antibiotics, only 36% correctly understood that antibiotics treat bacterial infections only, while about half believed they also work against viruses. Awareness of AMR was moderate (58%), and misconceptions about antibiotic resistance were common. In practice, inappropriate behaviors persisted: nearly 19% reported self-medication and 30% did not complete prescribed antibiotic courses. Education level was strongly associated with better knowledge and attitudes toward antibiotic use, highlighting the need for targeted public education, improved patient counseling, and stronger enforcement of prescription-only antibiotic policies to reduce misuse and limit the spread of AMR.