Which of the following is NOT among the factors that encourage the spread of antimicrobial resistance?

• A. Regular handwashing
• B. Poor infection control practices
• C. Inadequate sanitary conditions
• D. Inappropriate food-handling

Answer: (A)

Regular handwashing is a protective action that helps prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance by removing bacteria from hands before they can be passed to patients, surfaces, or food. It disrupts the transmission chain, so it is not a factor that encourages the spread of resistant organisms. In contrast, poor infection control practices allow resistant bacteria to move between patients and contaminated surfaces, inadequate sanitary conditions create environmental reservoirs that sustain transmission in communities, and inappropriate food-handling can introduce resistant bacteria into the food supply. Together, those factors increase spread, making regular handwashing the correct choice for NOT contributing to AMR spread.