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ANTIBIOTIC-RELATED BEHAVIORS AND PERCEIVED HEALTH CONSEQUENCES AMONG THE GENERAL POPULATION IN ARMENIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

LUSINE GAGIK NAZARYAN ¹*, SYUZANNA TARON EPREMYAN ², ANUSH BARSEGH BARSEGHYAN ¹, MARTA HEKTOR SIMONYAN ¹

¹ Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
² Scientific Centre of Drug and Medical Technology Expertise, Yerevan, Armenia

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Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes substantially to antimicrobial resistance. This study assessed antibiotic-related behaviours, knowledge, self-medication practices, and perceived health consequences among adults in Armenia. A cross-sectional survey of 384 adults was conducted using a structured 26-item questionnaire. Overall, 74.2% reported antibiotic use during the previous 12 months, 68.0% reported self-medication, 45.1% used leftover antibiotics for a new illness, and 47.9% considered using antibiotics prescribed for another person acceptable. The median objective knowledge score was 2 (IQR: 1 - 3). In multivariable analyses, each one-point increase in knowledge score was associated with lower odds of self-medication (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.43 - 0.68), non-completion of the antibiotic course (aOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.38 - 0.58), and leftover antibiotic use (aOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.42 - 0.64; all p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for targeted education and antimicrobial stewardship interventions to promote appropriate antibiotic use.