Antibiotic resistance awareness among the public, modes of distribution and prescription of antibiotics in Najaf, IraqMustafa Al Mosawi1, Ali Albakaa1, Haydar Alameen1, Hussein Fakhereldeen1 Yousif Naji2, Zaid Hayder Alathari1 and Ali Al-Behadili3De 1 Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq, 2 Al-Kindy College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, 3 Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenIntroductionAntibiotics are considered one of the most important discoveries of the last century. When antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, some bacteria may respond by becoming resistant to the antibiotic used. This response is a natural phenomenon of bacterial survival. Antibiotics may therefore become less effective. Many patients worldwide are harmed by antibiotic resistance because bacterial infections are no longer responsive to treatment (1). There is insufficient information on the mechanisms, conditions, and factors that lead to the mobilization, selection, and movement of resistant bacteria or resistant genes within and between animal and human populations (2). No country can be isolated from this global problem, even countries with prevention programs and policies (3). Antibiotic resistance therefore constitutes a global public health challenge of paramount importance (1, 4). The evolution of antibiotic resistance threatens the success of medical interventions at all levels of health care (1, 3, and 4). There is ecological evidence as well as evidence at the level of individual patients (5) from the Western world that the prevalence of resistance is positively correlated with antibiotic prescribing (6). Therefore, improving prescribing practices can prevent a further increase in the number of anti...... middle of paper ...... living in Najaf. 71% (250/350 people) participated. 117 of the participants were women (47%) and the rest were men. Majority of participants (45%) aged 20 to 25 years old. 150 people believed that antibiotics could treat colds and flu, while 62 people agreed that irrational use of antibiotics is correlated with antibiotic resistance ( Table I ). such as tetracycline and streptomycin for adults because they suffered from acute diarrhea. However, antibiotic dispensation was relatively low for clients with simulated fever compared to the acute diarrhea group (Table II). of these 1550 forms were produced in the outpatient clinics of Alsadr education