Abstract
BACKGROUND: Globally, healthcare systems are currently facing a significant challenge in terms of antibiotic resistance. Healthcare professionals actively participate in the process of prescribing, dispensing and administering antibiotics. OBJECTIVE: We examined the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance among healthcare professionals working in a tertiary hospital located in Monrovia, Liberia. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was carried out from January to June, 2023 involving 61 healthcare workers at the ELWA Hospital, Liberia. A purposive sample of healthcare workers across diverse professional roles was surveyed using a structured questionnaire on antibiotic use and resistance. Data were analyzed in SPSS v25 using descriptive statistics to summarize participant characteristics and inferential tests to explore variable associations. RESULTS: Participants ages ranged from 20 to 60 years (mean = 40.7 ± 5) and nurses constituted the majority professional group (59%). Most respondents (68.9%) disagreed that antibiotics are effective against viral infections (OR = 0.45; p = 0.020). However, 36.1% believed antibiotics could be stopped when symptoms resolve and 24.6% believed leftover antibiotics could be reused (OR = 0.33; p = 0.002). Majority, 72.1% and 70.5%, reported never using antibiotics for body pain or headaches, respectively (OR = 3.67; p = 0.001 and OR = 4.78; p < 0.001). Despite this, 39.3% admitted to sometimes or always storing leftover antibiotics and 39.3% agreed or strongly agreed that stopping antibiotics early is safe (OR = 0.36; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: The study identified persistent gaps in healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use and resistance, despite encouraging awareness in some areas. Misconceptions such as premature discontinuation and reuse of leftover antibiotics were common. Findings underscore the need for targeted education and strengthened stewardship programs in Liberia's healthcare settings.