PERCEPCIÓN Y CONOCIMIENTO SOBRE LA RESISTENCIA A LOS ANTIBIÓTICOS EN LA CONSULTA EXTERNA DEL HOSPITAL GENERAL DEL NORTE DE GUAYAQUIL LOS CEIBOS.

Abstract

The discovery of antibiotics in the last century is considered one of the most important achievements in the history of medicine. The use of antibiotics has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality associated with bacterial infections. However, the inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance at an alarming rate. Antibiotic resistance is considered one of the major health care challenges of this century. Despite extensive research, well-documented biochemical mechanisms and genetic changes fail to fully explain the mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance. The present study measured the level of knowledge and perception about antibiotic resistance in 100 of the patients attending the outpatient clinic of the General Hospital of Norte de Guayaquil Los Ceibos. Of the total number of respondents, 27% reported consuming antibiotics, while the rest of the patients mentioned that they did not consume antibiotics or did not know about the subject. Within the justification for consumption, the most prevalent were due to pathologies related to the upper airway in 4%, urinary tract infection in 3%, and general malaise in 3%. There was an inverse correlation between the level of knowledge and the age of the participants (r: -0.254, p: 0.011). That is, as the age of the participants increases, the level of knowledge decreases and vice versa. Antimicrobial resistance (AR) and persistence are associated with a high risk of treatment failure and recurrent infections. Therefore, they are important drivers of increased morbidity and mortality rates, resulting in higher health care costs.