OBJECTIVES: The world health organization has declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the greatest threats to human life today. It is generally perceived that one of the most significant contributing factors to AMR is the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics by the healthcare professionals. Therefore, it is believed that knowledge and perception of healthcare professionals about the severity of this issue is important. The aim of this study was to survey the attitude of doctors towards understanding the issue of antimicrobial resistance.

METHODS: One hundred questionnaires were distributed in doctors of various cadres in a tertiary care hospital in Kohat, Pakistan. Seventy eight doctors participated in the survey. The questionnaire had three questions: Q1. What is your insight about antimicrobial resistance? Q2. What do you think is the cause of antimicrobial resistance? Q3. How can we control this issue?

RESULTS: All of the participants knew very well about antimicrobial resistance. However, a difference in opinion was observed to the question regarding the causes of antimicrobial resistance. Twenty seven percent of doctors admitted that self-medication of antibiotics is the main cause of AMR, while sixty eight percent believed that improper dosage and non-compliance with prescription is the main cause of AMR. Five percent of the participants said that inappropriate prescription of antibiotics by the physician might be the cause of AMR

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that all doctors were well aware of this growing threat. However, majority of the doctors were of the opinion that actual cause of growing AMR is inappropriate prescription but non-compliance of patients to proper medications. Thus it seems imperative that along with appropriate medication, proper counseling and education of patients or patients’ attendants on consumption of antibiotics is equally important to contain the emerging threats of antimicrobial resistance.