Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria and other microorganisms evolve to resist the medicines designed to eliminate them. As a result, infections become more difficult to treat, increasing the risk of severe illness, prolonged hospitalization, higher healthcare costs, and death.
According to international data cited in the study, antimicrobial resistance directly caused approximately 1.2 million deaths and contributed to 4.95 million deaths worldwide in 2019. The Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) 2025 also reported that nearly one in six confirmed bacterial infections is resistant to commonly used antibiotics. In Indonesia, national surveillance through the Surveillance of Indonesian Network on Antimicrobial Resistance (SINAR) has likewise identified antimicrobial resistance as an expanding public health challenge, emphasizing the urgent need for rational antibiotic use and greater public awareness.
The researchers explain that inappropriate antibiotic use remains one of the primary drivers of antimicrobial resistance. Common practices such as taking antibiotics without a prescription, stopping treatment before completing the prescribed course, or using antibiotics for viral illnesses contribute to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Improving public knowledge is therefore considered one of the most effective strategies to reduce these harmful behaviors.
To evaluate the effectiveness of health education, the research team organized an educational session at the waiting area of the Internal Medicine Clinic of Haji Provincial General Hospital in East Java on November 19, 2025. The study involved 54 outpatient visitors, all of whom participated through a total sampling approach.
Before the educational session, participants completed a 10-question pre-test measuring their knowledge of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. They then attended a one-hour health education program delivered by the hospital's Antimicrobial Resistance Control Committee (KPRA) using easy-to-understand presentation materials. After the session, participants completed the same questionnaire as a post-test, allowing researchers to measure changes in knowledge before and after the intervention.
The results demonstrated that even a straightforward educational intervention can produce substantial improvements in public understanding.
Key Findings
- 53 of the 54 participants (98.1%) showed improved knowledge after receiving the health education session.
- The educational intervention effectively increased awareness of responsible antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance.
- No significant relationship was found between knowledge improvement and participants' gender, age, educational background, or occupation.
- This indicates that the educational program was equally effective across diverse demographic groups.
Participant characteristics reflected a diverse community population. Women represented 70.4% of respondents, the largest age group was 26–35 years, most participants had completed senior high school, and half were homemakers. Despite these demographic differences, nearly all participants experienced similar improvements in knowledge following the educational session.
According to the researchers, the findings demonstrate that well-designed health education using simple language and interactive communication can effectively reach people regardless of their educational level or age. The results are also consistent with previous international studies showing that community-based educational interventions successfully improve awareness and promote responsible antibiotic use.
The study also found that participants showed strong enthusiasm during the educational program. While the session was originally scheduled for 60 minutes, the discussion and question-and-answer segment lasted longer than planned because of participants' active engagement and interest in learning about antibiotic resistance and proper antibiotic use.
These findings have important implications for public health policy. Community education does not require expensive technology or highly complex interventions to make a meaningful impact. Brief educational sessions delivered in hospitals, clinics, primary healthcare centers, and community settings can significantly improve public understanding of antibiotics and help reduce inappropriate antibiotic consumption.
If implemented regularly across healthcare facilities, similar educational initiatives could contribute to slowing the development of antimicrobial resistance while improving the effectiveness of infection treatment throughout Indonesia.
Retno Hernik Mulyati Andayani and her colleagues from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya conclude that simple, inclusive, and easy-to-understand health education can successfully increase public knowledge about antimicrobial resistance regardless of demographic characteristics. Their findings support broader implementation of community education as an essential component of antimicrobial resistance prevention programs.
Author Profile
Retno Hernik Mulyati Andayani is a researcher from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya specializing in health promotion and community health education.
Novita Arbianti is a researcher at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya with expertise in public health and infectious disease prevention.
Annisa Dewi Maharani, the corresponding author, is affiliated with Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya and focuses on public health, health education, and antimicrobial resistance.
Research Source
Title: The Effect of Education on Improving Knowledge of Antimicrobial Resistance Among Outpatients at the Internal Medicine Clinic of the Haji Provincial General Hospital in East Java
Authors: Retno Hernik Mulyati Andayani, Novita Arbianti, Annisa Dewi Maharani
Journal: Indonesian Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR), Vol. 5, No. 6, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijar.v5i6.16649
Official Journal: https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/ijar
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