Assessment of Antibiotic Misuse, Microbial Resistance Spread, and Possible Solutions in Nangarhar
Keywords: Antibiotics, medication misuse, microbial resistance, solutions.
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Amanullah Aslami |
The inappropriate use of antibiotics and the spread of antimicrobial resistance represent one of the most serious global health threats, weakening patient treatment outcomes and placing substantial financial and administrative pressures on healthcare systems. Despite the severity of the problem, accurate data on the prevalence of antibiotic misuse, public awareness, contributing factors to resistance, and existing preventive mechanisms remain limited in Nangarhar province. This study assesses the local status of antibiotic misuse, indicators of antimicrobial resistance, and potential preventive strategies, providing valuable scientific and practical insights for health policy, public awareness, and intervention initiatives. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the prevalence of antibiotic misuse, the extent of antimicrobial resistance, and the effectiveness of possible interventions in Nangarhar. The central research question is: What is the prevalence of antibiotic misuse in Nangarhar province, and which factors contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance? A case study design with a quantitative approach was employed. Using Cochran’s formula, a sample of 384 participants was selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via a Google Forms questionnaire based on a Likert scale and analyzed using SPSS (version 25) through frequencies and percentages. The findings indicate that the majority of participants were young (57%), male (89.6%), highly educated (84.6%), and urban residents (80.5%). Participants recognized the risks associated with misuse and considered mandatory prescriptions, public awareness campaigns, strict governmental supervision, and continuous training of healthcare providers as the most effective solutions.
