Abstract
Introduction: Antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of bacteria to survive, multiply, or cause infection despite the use of antibiotics that were previously effective. This occurs due to genetic mutations or the acquisition of resistance mechanisms, posing a serious global public health challenge and compromising effective infection management.
Objective: To assess the level of knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance among nurses working at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2025 at Hayatabad Medical Complex, a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar. Data were collected using a validated and reliable questionnaire through a convenient sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.
Results: Most participants were young female registered nurses holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Overall, 57% of nurses demonstrated high knowledge, 38.6% had moderate knowledge, and 4.4% showed low knowledge of antibiotic resistance. While nurses were knowledgeable about antibiotic use and resistance, gaps existed in understanding resistance transmission and related misconceptions.
Conclusion: Although nurses exhibited generally good knowledge of antibiotic resistance, notable gaps persist, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions to strengthen antibiotic stewardship.