scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Antibiotics and Its Resistance: A Two-Phase Mixed-Methods Online Study among Pakistani Community Pharmacists to Promote Rational Antibiotic Use

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1320
Author(s):  
Faiz Ullah Khan ◽  
Farman Ullah Khan ◽  
Khezar Hayat ◽  
Tawseef Ahmad ◽  
Amjad Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Rational Use Of Antibiotics

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is an emerging global threat to public health. Substantial evidence has indicated that community pharmacists (CPs) can play a critical role in managing the ever-increasing threat of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of CPs (n = 180) towards antibiotics and antibiotic resistance as well as to improve the rational use of antibiotics. A two-phase mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) online study was conducted in Pakistan from August 2019 to March 2020 by using validated questionnaires and semi-structured interview data. Different statistical methods were used to tabulate the quantitative data, whereas inductive thematic analysis was conducted to categorize themes from the qualitative data and to draw conclusions. Approximately 64.4% of the CPs were male (mean: 29–33 years old). Overall, CPs had good knowledge of and were familiar with multidrug-resistant organisms and their roles in ABR (65.6%, median = 1, and IQR = 1), although their knowledge was poor in differentiating some antibiotic groups with their respective ABR patterns (31.1%, median = 1, and IQR = 1). Most CPs have a positive attitude towards antibiotics, with most (90.0%) identifying ABR as a critical issue in public health (median = 1 and IQR = 0). Overall, CPs’ practices towards antibiotics were somewhat acceptable, where they leaned towards educating patients about the rational use of antibiotics (52.8%, median = 1, and IQR = 1). The two main themes discovered (antibiotics and counseling of patients) were related to self-medication, while educational intervention is the main subtheme. ABR is multifactorial, with subthemes related to budget, time constraints, incompetent staff, the absence of CPs, the lack of training, and the enforcement of laws and regulations being the needs of the hour in Pakistan. Effective antibiotic stewardship programs, patient education, and awareness campaigns about antibiotics and ABR along with training of the CPs are important factors that have to be addressed in a timely manner.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Antibiotics and Its Resistance: Two Phases Mixed-Methods Online Study Among Pakistani Community Pharmacists to Promote Rational Antibiotics Use

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiz Ullah Khan ◽  
Farman Ullah Khan ◽  
Khezar Hayat ◽  
Tawseef Ahmad ◽  
Amjad Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Rational Use Of Antibiotics

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is an emerging global threat to public health. Substantial evidence has indicated that community pharmacists (CPs) can play a critical role in managing the ever-increasing threat of antibiotic resistance. The study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of CPs (n=180) towards antibiotics and antibiotic resistance as well as to improve the rational use of antibiotics. Two phases of mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) online study were conducted in Pakistan from August 2019 to March 2020 by using validated questionnaires and semi-structured interview data. Different statistical methods were used to tabulate the quantitative data whereas inductive thematic analysis was conducted to categorize themes from the qualitative data and draw conclusions. Approximately 64.4% were male (mean: 29-33 years old). Overall, CPs had good knowledge of and were familiar with superbugs and their roles in ABR (65.6%, Median=1, IQR=1) although they were poor in differentiating some antibiotic groups with their respective ABR patterns (31.1%, Median=1, IQR=1). Most CPs have a positive attitude towards antibiotics with most (90.0%) having identified ABR as a critical issue in public health (Median=1, IQR=0). Overall, CPs' practices towards antibiotics were reasonable where they tend to educate patients about the rational use of antibiotics (52.8%, Median=1, IQR=1). Two main themes (antibiotics and counseling of patients) were related to self-medication with while educational interventions are the sub-theme. ABR is multifactorial where the subthemes related to budget, time constraints incompetent staff, the absence of CPs, the lack of training, enforcement of laws and regulations are the need of the hour in Pakistan. Effective antibiotic stewardship programs, patient education, and awareness campaigns about antibiotics and ABR along with training of the CPs are important factors that have to be addressed in a timely manner.

scholarly journals Antibiotic stewardship program in Pakistan: a multicenter qualitative study exploring medical doctors’ knowledge, perception and practices

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Atif ◽  
Beenish Ihsan ◽  
Iram Malik ◽  
Nafees Ahmad ◽  
Zikria Saleem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Antibiotic Prescription ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Prescription Practices ◽  
Stewardship Program ◽  
Rational Use Of Antibiotics

Abstract Background The emerging threat of antibiotic resistance is growing exponentially and antibiotic stewardship programs are cornerstone to fight against this global threat. The study aimed to explore the knowledge, perspectives and practices of physicians regarding various aspects of antibiotic stewardship program including antibiotic stewardship activities, rational use of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, prescribing practices and factors associated with these practices. Methods In this qualitative study, a total of 17 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with doctors of three tertiary care public sector hospitals in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan were conducted. The convenient sampling method was adopted to collect the data and the saturation point criterion was applied to determine the sample size. Thematic analysis approach was used to draw conclusions from the data. Results The analysis of data yielded five themes, 12 subthemes and 26 categories. The themes included, (i) perception about antibiotic use and antibiotic stewardship, (ii) antibiotic prescription practices, (iii) antibiotic resistance, (iv) limited strategies adopted by hospital administration to ensure quality and safe distribution of antibiotics, (v) implementation of antibiotic stewardship program: barriers, suggestion and future benefits. Doctors had misconceptions about the rational use of antibiotics. The perception regarding antibiotic stewardship programs was poor. Moreover, very few activities related to ASP existed. The participants gave many suggestions for successful implementation of ASP in order to reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance, including development of guidelines for the use of antibiotics, strict legislation regarding use of antibiotics, active participation of healthcare professionals and awareness program among general public about the use of antibiotics. Conclusion This study concluded that poor knowledge of doctors regarding ASP, non-existence of antibiogram of hospital and lack of rules for the safe use of antibiotics were the main driving factors associated with irrational antibiotic prescription practices and development of AR.

scholarly journals Study on knowledge, attitude and practices with respect to antibiotic use among medical students

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1628
Author(s):  
Bhavika D. ◽  
A. Naga Teja Pavani ◽  
G. Meghavani ◽  
Aditya Jillella ◽  
Sameer Uz Zaman
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Educational Strategies ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Global Problem ◽  
Rational Use Of Antibiotics

Background: Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a serious global problem. Irrational prescribing of antibiotics is one of the key factors responsible for the development of antibiotic resistance. As today’s medical students will be the future prescribers their awareness regarding antibiotic resistance and rational prescribing of antibiotics is very much important. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of the medical students towards antibiotic use.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted involving the medical students from all the semesters. A predesigned questionnaire was used to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of the respondents. The response options were ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for some questions, and a 5 point Likert scale used to assess some questions. The data was analyzed using MS office Excel.Results: A total of 457 fully completed questionnaires from the respondents were evaluated. Majority of the respondents (70%) were females, and 91% of the respondents were aware of antibiotic resistance as a global problem. On analysis of score of questions assessing knowledge, 91% of respondents had attained a score in the range of 5-7. Majority (83%) of the respondents used antibiotics only on doctor’s prescription and 74% of the respondents had completed the prescribed course.Conclusions: The present study gives an insight on the knowledge, attitude and practices of medical students on antibiotic use, and can be used as a tool to plan educational strategies to improve the knowledge of the students regarding rational use of antibiotics.

scholarly journals Rational Use of Antibiotics – A Point Prevalence Study Carried out at a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 39-47
Author(s):  
Okechukwu Chioma
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Prevalence Study ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Point Prevalence Study ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Rational Use Of Antibiotics

Introduction: The burden of antibiotic resistance in the hospitals and communities is progressively worsening hence the critical need to put into practice all the key components of rational use of antibiotics in our daily patient interactions. This paper aims to highlight the problem of antibiotic resistance, the importance of rational use of antibiotics and to show an on the spot sketch of the antibiotic use pattern among in-patients in the children wards in a tertiary hospital. Methodology: A brief review of the existing literature on antibiotic resistance and the rational use of antibiotics was done. A one-day cross-sectional point prevalence study was conducted in the children wards in UPTH and all children receiving antibiotics on that day, identified. The prevalence of antibiotic use was determined by dividing the number of inpatients on antibiotics at the time of the survey by the total number of patients on admission. Data were presented in percentages using pie and bar charts. Results: There were a total of 40 children on admission in the paediatric wards with a Male: Female ratio of 1.2:1. 34 (85.0%) of the children on admission were receiving at least one antibiotic. The most common route of administration of the antibiotics was the intravenous route (94.1%). The five most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the children medical wards and the emergency ward were Ceftriaxone, Gentamycin, Cefuroxime, Metronidazole and Crystalline penicillin, while the five most common antibiotics prescribed in the special care baby unit were Gentamycin, Ceftazidime, Ceftriaxone, Metronidazole and Ofloxacin. Only 10 (29.4%) out of children receiving antibiotics had a microbiology culture result available, and 4 were receiving antibiotics in line with the culture sensitivity pattern. Two (5.9%) children had a multidrug-resistant infection. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of antibiotic use among inpatients and low utilization of microbiology culture results in the choice of antibiotics in a tertiary hospital in South-south Nigeria. Antibiotic prescribing patterns among healthcare workers should be improved upon by training and retraining of personnel as well as strict adherence to antibiotic prescription guidelines.

Curriculum update for future pharmacy technicians to enhance rational use of antibiotics in Turkey

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Karadag Caman ◽  
S Uner ◽  
B Arica Yegin ◽  
H Ozcebe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Pharmacy Technicians ◽  
Rational Use Of Antibiotics ◽  
Undergraduate Programs ◽  
Rational Antibiotic Use

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most important global public health issues and training of healthcare professionals and the public needs to be an integral part of all AMR efforts. In 2015, four out of six countries with the highest antibiotic consumption rate in the world were low and middle-income countries, where Turkey was reported as the country with the highest consumption. Methods This paper aims to present a new undergraduate course entitled “Rational use of antibiotics”, specifically designed for pharmacy technician students to increase their awareness on AMR and to equip them with knowledge and skills in promoting rational antibiotic use. The curriculum update was part of a larger international project, supported by the Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnership Program (Project no: 2015-1-TR01-KA204-022393). Results Pharmacy technicians are among the most critical health professionals regarding rational antibiotic use because they can play a significant role in educating potential antibiotic users and have a multiplier effect in disseminating evidence-based knowledge. The 16-week long undergraduate course was designed by pharmacy and public health faculty with a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on topics such as epidemiology and control of communicable diseases, antibiotics, AMR and its public health consequences, legal regulations and medical practice regarding rational antibiotic use, as well as principles and methods of health promotion and health education. Conclusions Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the newly introduced undergraduate course on the rational use of antibiotics showed promising results, which indicate that designing specific courses for health professions students to combat AMR can be more widely practiced in countries with high antibiotic consumption. Public health academics can take a leading role and responsibility in the design of such multidisciplinary courses for undergraduate programs in health care. Key messages Specific courses on rational use of antibiotics can be effective in changing knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of healthcare professionals, and consecutively the general public in combatting AMR. Public health academics can take a leading role and responsibility in design of such multidisciplinary courses for undergraduate programs in health care.

scholarly journals Vaccination distribution by community pharmacists under the COVID-19 vaccine appointment system in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya Wen Lin ◽  
Che Huei Lin ◽  
Ming Hung Lin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Public ◽  
Appointment System ◽  
Vaccine Availability ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Roll Out

AbstractPharmacists play a critical role in implementing and promoting public health policies, particularly during pandemics, thanks to their exceptional skills, knowledge, expertise, and accessibility to the public. This study aimed to increase the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines in a coordinated manner to ensure equal accessibility to all Taiwanese residents. A total of 3301 health insurance special pharmacies, equivalent to 80% of all community pharmacies in Taiwan, are assisting the public in scheduling vaccines. Once pharmacists had ensured adequate vaccine availability, vaccinations were scheduled depending on the time of registration on the platform for vaccination appointments. The roll-out of this program saw a significant number of people register and receive the vaccine throughout the country, and the number of individuals who received both a first and second dose increased significantly. Community pharmacy-based distribution of the vaccine to the public signifies the novel and innovative involvement of pharmacists in government initiatives to promote public health. Our study shows that community pharmacies can potentially enhance the efficiency and equitable distribution of health supplies and resources, particularly during pandemics.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document