Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pervasive health concerns worldwide in veterinary and human medicine. The inadequate use of antibiotics in the veterinary sector has contributed to antibiotic resistance (ABR), which negatively affects animal and human health. This study aimed to evaluate awareness about knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning the use of antibiotics and AMR among veterinarians and other practitioners in the field of animal health in the Wasit Governorate of Iraq.
Materials and Methods: This study included 129 veterinarians and animal health workers from various areas of Wasit Governorate (Suwayra, Numaniyah, Kut, and Al-Hai) in eastern Iraq, southeast of Baghdad. Participants’ personal information (age, sex, education, employment history, region, workplace, and current position) and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding antibiotic usage and resistance were collected using a questionnaire. The Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2018) was used to analyze the data.
Results: Based on 16 knowledge evaluation questions, only 43.75% had good knowledge, and 56.25% had fair to poor knowledge of antibiotic usage and AMR. There is a lack of understanding of the threat of treatment-resistant bacteria (34.88%). Similarly, there are some gaps in the understanding of the link between efficient management procedures in agriculture and the prevention of resistance development (36.43%). As per the 13 attitude questions, this research found that only 38.46% of the participants had a positive view on antibiotic usage and ABR, while the rest of 61.54% had a neutral view. High rates of participants (80.62%) considered it of great importance to provide sufficient antibiotic doses, proper management, immunization, and the use of animal antibiotics only when necessary and with veterinary assistance. Based on the six questions, our research found that half of the participants had excellent practices regarding antibiotic usage and resistance, whereas the other half had poor to moderate habits. There was a highly significant correlation (p ≤ 0.01) between the knowledge and attitude of the participants in this study, as well as a significant correlation (p ≤ 0.05) between the knowledge and practices and between the attitudes and practices of the participants.
Conclusion: Participants’ compliance was poor despite having moderate knowledge of antibiotic use and AMR. Implementing educational and training programs may enhance veterinarians and animal health workers’ understanding, attitude, and behavior.
