Effectiveness of Public Health Promotions on Antibiotic Stewardship Awareness among Healthcare Providers in Southern South Africa: Knowledge Gaps Analysis

Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health challenge in Southern South Africa, where healthcare providers often lack awareness and adherence to antibiotic stewardship guidelines. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a cross-sectional survey with structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Among the surveyed providers (n=150), only 37% correctly identified all key antibiotic stewardship practices, highlighting significant knowledge gaps in areas such as prescribing guidelines and infection prevention strategies. Public health promotions can improve awareness of antibiotic stewardship but require targeted interventions to address specific knowledge gaps among healthcare providers. Future efforts should focus on enhancing understanding of local infection control measures and improving compliance with national guidelines through regular training sessions and peer-to-peer education programmes.