We aimed to determine the reasons for irrational antibiotic use, to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of physicians regarding such use, to find factors affecting knowledge of physicians, and to explore precautions that need to be taken to stop irrational antibiotic use.

We performed the study between January 2014 and June 2014. We included 202 physicians who answered a questionnaire with 22 multiple-choice questions about knowledge (eight questions), behavior and attitudes of physicians (nine questions), and recommendations for reducing antibiotic consumption (five questions). Answers to all questions were assessed according to the physician's age, educational status, metropolitan areas, and healthcare facilities.

The effects of parents’ expectations and satisfaction (7.4%–40.0%) (P<0.0001) and socioeconomical status of families (33%–62%) (P=0.007) increased as the participants’ age decreased. Participants working at public hospitals (42.6%) considered expectations and satisfaction of parents more important than other participants (10.5%–26.9%; P=0.002). Rapid recovery of patients was not an essential determinant for administering antibiotics for pediatricians (25.7%) and pediatric assistants (26.9%). However, it was important for emergency physicians (55.6%) and family physicians (60%, P=0.016). Physicians working at university hospitals did not consider this determinant as important as physicians working in other healthcare facilities (P=0.001).

To determine the obstacles associated with promoting rational antibiotic usage, every country should assess the attitudes, behavior, and knowledge of physicians related to such use. The present study is one of the few in Turkey to address the problems associated with irrational antibiotic use.