Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli among Hospitalized Patients at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Public awareness and behavioural practices play important roles in influencing trends 
in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) 
are among the most important antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and constitute a 
major global public health concern. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, 
and practices (KAP) regarding carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli among 
hospitalized patients at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria. A 
cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted among 384 hospitalized 
patients diagnosed with E. coli. Data were collected following standard procedures 
using a carefully tailored, structured, self-administered KAP questionnaire designed 
to evaluate participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding carbapenem
resistant E. coli. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for 
the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23 (Chicago, IL, USA). The overall average 
scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 19.2%, 76.2%, and 47.9%, 
respectively. These findings indicate markedly low levels of knowledge regarding 
carbapenem-resistant E. coli among the hospitalized patients, despite a 
comparatively favourable attitude score. The practice score, however, remained 
inadequate, indicating an important gap between positive attitudes and the adoption 
of appropriate practices for limiting the emergence and transmission of 
antimicrobial-resistant organisms. The study therefore demonstrates substantial 
deficiencies in patient awareness and preventive practices related to carbapenem
resistant E. coli. These findings underscore the need for targeted patient education 
and sustained public awareness interventions, strengthened infection prevention and 
control measures, effective antimicrobial stewardship programmes, and continuous 
molecular surveillance to monitor resistance patterns and help prevent the 
emergence and further spread of carbapenem-resistant E. coli within healthcare 
settings.