Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitude Toward Antibiotic Use and Resistance: A Descriptive Study in an Indian Tertiary Care Setting

Abstract

Background: Nurses play a significant role in antimicrobial stewardship because antibiotic resistance poses a critical danger to global health. Optimizing antibiotic use and combating resistance requires evaluating nurses’ knowledge and attitudes. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among a cohort of 300 nurses working in general wards and intensive care units of a tertiary care hospital in India, selected using proportionate stratified sampling. The data collection was carried out using a psychometrically validated, structured knowledge questionnaire and a three-point Likert-type attitude scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s product -moment correlation coefficient, and chi-squared test to examine the associations between the variables. Results: Among the nurses assessed, 91% showed adequate understanding of antibiotic use and resistance, while 95.7% reported a positive attitude toward prevention of antibiotic resistance. A positive correlation was identified between knowledge and attitude (r=0.267, p=0.001). Increased knowledge and more positive attitudes were closely associated with engagement in infection prevention programs. Conclusion: Targeted educational and stewardship programs are critical for strengthening nurses' involvement in preventing antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes.