Mapping antimicrobial resistance awareness in Canada: what are our knowledge gaps?

Background Often referred to as a silent pandemic, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is gradually expanding worldwide. Addressing this escalating threat requires collaborative efforts from governments, stakeholders and community members; thus, fostering widespread public knowledge is crucial. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) related to AMR in a diverse cohort from the province of Quebec, Canada, to identify critical gaps in targeted educational interventions.

Methods An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from April 2022 to August 2023. Participants included individuals 18 years or older from urban areas in Quebec, focusing on the cities of Montreal and Laval. The data were collected using a questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization’s ‘Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-country Public Awareness Survey’.

Results The study engaged 1774 participants and revealed a fair understanding of AMR, with misconception rates varying from 9.9% to 58.3%. However, significant knowledge gaps were identified. When asked about following the recommended length of treatment and daily dosage of antibiotics, 13.8% affirmed not fully adhering. When asked if medication was stopped once symptoms started to disappear, 7.3% responded ‘always’ and 20.4% ‘sometimes’. Additionally, 12.5% reported taking oral antibiotics without a prescription. Notably, men, younger audiences (18–34) and individuals with lower formal education were more prone to risky AMR-related behaviours.

Conclusions This study reveals significant gaps in public understanding and practices related to AMR in Quebec. Enhanced public education campaigns, stricter antimicrobial use regulations and tailored educational programmes targeting high-risk groups are recommended. An improved understanding of AMR can significantly contribute to global efforts to combat this pressing health issue.