BACKGROUND: The Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programme is one of the strategic initiatives of the World Health Organization's global action plan to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In sub-Saharan countries, there is insufficient scientific evidence regarding healthcare providers' perception of institutionalisation of ASPs as a strategy to reduce AMR. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare workers in the uMgungundlovu District regarding the enablers and barriers to institutionalisation of AMS programmes in public health settings. METHOD: This was a prospective, cross-sectional and a 5-point-Likert-scale (1 = minimal
2 = limited
3 = average
4 = good and 5 = comprehensive) questionnaire-based arm of a larger mixed-methods study. Voluntary participants were purposively recruited from hospitals and community health centres in the uMgungundlovu District, South Africa. RESULTS: Forty-nine ( CONCLUSION: Healthcare workers in public healthcare settings in the uMgungundlovu District knew how crucial their roles were in reducing AMR. CONTRIBUTION: This study highlights the need for employment experience and adequate healthcare service providers as critical factors for the successful institutionalisation of AMS programmes in public health facilities.