Factors Associated with Rational Antibiotic Use Behavior among Village Health Volunteers in Wang Takhian Subdistrict, Nong Mamong District, Chainat Province
Keywords:
Rational antibiotic use, Perception, Social support, Village Health Volunteers, Antimicrobial resistanceAbstract
This study was a single-area cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to investigate factors associated with rational antibiotic use behaviors. The sample consisted of 117 village health volunteers in (VHVs) Wang Takhian Subdistrict, Nong Mamong District, Chai Nat Province, selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.976. Associations were analyzed using the Chi-square test, Fisher’s Exact Test, and Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient, at 0.05 statistical significance.
The results showed that the participants had a high level of perception regarding antibiotic use (M = 3.82, SD = 0.55), a high level of social support on health information received from healthcare personnel (M = 4.20, SD = 0.62), and a high level of rational antibiotic use behaviors (M = 4.31, SD = 0.60). Factors significantly and positively associated with rational antibiotic use behaviors at a high level included perceived susceptibility (r = 0.666, p < 0.001), perceived severity (r = 0.583, p < 0.001), and perceived benefits (r = 0.634, p < 0.001). Social support in the form of health information from healthcare personnel was positively associated with rational antibiotic use behaviors at a very high level (r = 0.752, p < 0.001).
The findings suggest that awareness of rational antibiotic use should be continuously promoted among VHVs and the general public. Healthcare professionals should provide regular information and guidance, while also developing health education materials and activities appropriate to the community context to promote rational antibiotic use behaviors and prevent antimicrobial resistance.
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