Knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare workers towards antibiotic resistance during the COVID-19 pandemic (original) (raw)

Healthcare Workers Perceptions Regarding Antibiotic Use During COVID-19 Pandemic in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study

BAU Journal - Health and Well-Being, 2022

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, empirical antibiotics prescription has increased globally in patients with COVID-19 for suspected or confirmed bacterial infection. Hence, concerns have been raised about potential rise in antibiotic resistance that will create further challenges for antimicrobial stewardship. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess healthcare workers attitudes and practices regarding antibiotics prescription during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon. The survey was distributed online using GOOGLE forms and included questions addressing socio-demographic characteristics, trainings in antibiotics use and healthcare workers attitudes and practices regarding antibiotics prescription during the pandemic. In total, 399 healthcare workers responded to the survey. Less than half of them had already participated in antibiotic prescription trainings before or during the pandemic. However, only 11% participated, mostly nurses, in antibiotic stewardship program. Azithromycin was the most prescribed antibiotic with Vitamin C and Zinc used as second line treatments in COVID-19 patients. In addition, nearly two-third of the participants reported an increase in antibiotic use during the early phase of the pandemic and considered that COVID-19 patients are receiving unnecessary antibiotics. This study showed excessive antibiotics prescription during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon that needs to be tackled by raising awareness of antimicrobial stewardship and control measures.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of clinicians about antimicrobial stewardship and resistance among hospitals of Pakistan: A multicenter cross-sectional study

2021

Considering that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge, there is a dire need to gauge the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of clinicians in endemic countries. The aim of the current multicenter, cross-sectional study was to highlight the knowledge, aptitude and practice gaps in antimicrobial (AM) stewardship and AMR among practicing doctors working in public tertiary care teaching hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. A KAP survey, based on a self-administered questionnaire containing 45 questions, was conducted among 336 clinicians practicing in 6 randomly selected hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Overall, 92% of the clinicians considered AMR as a worldwide problem but only 66% disagreed that cold and flu symptoms require antibiotics. Moreover, around 68% doctors felt confident about their practice in AM but still 96% felt need to get more knowledge about AM. Need to establish courses on rational antibiotic use was demanded by 84% of participants. The main contributing...

Knowledge and attitude among samples from community members, pharmacists and health care providers about antibiotic resistance in Al- Suwaria city/Wassit province/Iraq

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2021

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, primarily due to inappropriate antimicrobial use. Addressing this threat is a public health priority that requires a collaborative global approach in all areas. The rational use of antimicrobials is the main strategy for the prevention of antimicrobial resistance, which can be achieved by changing the behavior and knowledge of the prescribers. So, for the success of any problem management program, the most important prerequisite is community participation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of the samples of community members, pharmacists and health professionals in the city of Al-Suwaria, in the province of Wasit, in the Middle East of Iraq, with respect to antimicrobial resistance, which helps to rationalize the use of antimicrobials. In this survey, a cross-sectional study of 102 random contributing samples was performed. From January to March 2020. Knowledge ...

A Survey of Public Knowledge and Attitude Related to Antibiotic use and Antibiotic Resistance among Saudi People in Northern Region of Saudi Arabia

Journal of Young Pharmacists, 2020

Background: The antibacterial resistance is emerging problem worldwide. This phenomenon is nowadays affecting public health dramatically on the global level. Public knowledge is considered a prerequisite for appropriate use of antibiotics and limited spread of antibiotic resistance. Our aim was to evaluate the level of knowledge, beliefs, attitude and behaviors toward antibiotic resistance among Saudi public in northern border region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in northern border region of Saudi Arabia using a self-administeredquestionnaire in Arabic language and all data were analyzed by means of descriptive analysis. Results: More than two thirds of study subjects reported that they heard about antibiotic resistance and 35% of them mentioned the social media as the source of information about this issue, only 44% of study subjects were aware that antibiotic resistance means that bacteria would not be killed by antibiotic, 42% were aware that antibiotic resistance bacteria is difficult to eradicate, 58% were aware that indiscriminate use of antibiotics is the cause of bacterial resistance, 34% were aware that use antibiotic when there is no need is a cause for bacterial resistance,38% were aware that incomplete course of antibiotic lead to bacterial resistance,43% of study subjects take antibiotic without prescription, 42% stop antibiotic when symptoms improve and47% of study subjects believed that influenza and common cold can be treated with antibiotics. Conclusion: Our community still has some misconception and insufficient knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance. There is great concern surrounding the development and spread of resistance resulting from poor knowledge about the dangers of self-medication and misuse of antibiotics.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Standard Infection Control Precautions among Health-care Workers in a Hospital in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: a Cross-sectional Survey

2021

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) contribute to increased length of hospital stay, high mortality and higher health-care costs. Prevention and control of HAIs is a critical public health concern. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 213 hospital health-care workers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. We assessed Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of standard infection control precautions using a structured questionnaire. Predictors of KAP were investigated using multivaraible logistic regression analyses and independent sample t tests. Prevalence of good (≥80% correct response) knowledge, attitude and practice were 67.6%, 61.5% and 73.2%, respectively. Predictors of good knowledge included age over 34 years (adjusted odds ratio: 30.5, p<0.001), and receiving training (13.3, p<0.001). Predictor of positive attitude was having >6 years of experience (5.5, p<0.001). While, the predictors of good practice were having >6 years of experience (2.9, p<0.01), previous exposu...

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices about antibiotic resistance and usage

International journal of health sciences, 2022

Background: The current trend of treatment, using antibiotics has definitely helped improve patient outcome and prevent infectious disease however the irrational and unregulated use these drugs has created a havoc of antibiotic resistance. The Worldwide spread of the antibiotic resistant organisms has gradually created the threat of antimicrobial insufficiency and is leading us back to an pre-antibiotics era. Patients infected with these antibiotic resistant organisms are likely to face long durations of hospital stay, increased cost of treatment and require treatment with second? and third?line drugs, which may be more toxic and less effective. Medical students are going to be primary care physicians to serve the community. These future prescribers are frontline fighters against antimicrobial resistance, by rationally prescribing the antibiotics and promoting patient awareness. There are sufficient evidences to support that newly licensed doctors / prescribers are not adequately ...

Antibiotic Use and Resistance Knowledge: Awareness Among the General Public in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Cureus, 2021

Background and objective: Antibiotics (Abs) are a class of medication generally prescribed for bacterial infections. Abs misuse, caused by either medication non-compliance or self-medication, may lead to Abs resistance, a problem that is trending around the globe. In 2018, dispensing Abs without a prescription became prohibited in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge and attitude toward Abs use and resistance in Jazan Province. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the population of Jazan, using a selfadministered electronic questionnaire to assess the knowledge and attitude toward Abs use and resistance and its related factors. Results: According to our findings, 543 participants responded and most of the participants use Abs with a prescription (n = 280; 75%). About 40% identified correctly that Abs can treat only bacteria, not viruses, and 44% denied that Abs can treat all coughs and common cases. Then, regarding the knowledge about resistance, we found that those who had heard about Abs resistance represented more than half of the participants (56%), and had better knowledge about Abs use. Further, more than half of those who have heard about Abs resistance correctly defined the antibiotic susceptibility test, and about two-thirds were able to answer the related questions about Abs resistance. Conclusion: To conclude, a positive correlation was found between knowledge about Abs resistance and Abs use. Thus, national Abs regulations and policies with continuous education and awareness must be continued to ensure a better understanding of Abs use.

Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance: Surveillance among Visitors of a Tertiary Care Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a worldwide issue that was declared by the World Health Organization as a high-priority issue. However, there is a lack of awareness about AMR noticed in our community. Therefore, this study aims to assess the knowledge of the community regarding AMR. Methodology: A validated 24-item questionnaire was administered to the visitors of the outpatient clinic pharmacy waiting area to investigate their awareness of antibiotic resistance. Results: 397 questionnaires were received and analyzed. The questionnaire included questions asking what antibiotic resistance is, how to use antibiotics properly, and for which infections antibiotics are used. The findings showed that 161 (40.55%) of the respondents were classified as having sufficient knowledge of AMR. Moreover, the results revealed that there was a significant association between gender and the level of knowledge where females showed a better knowledge of AMR than males. Age was also an i...

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice Regarding Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use among Undergraduate Medical Students in Majmaah, Saudi Arabia

Journal of Research in Medical and Dental Science, 2019

Background: Antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed and misused drugs. One of the important pillars of the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance launched by the World Health Organization is to improve awareness. Objective: To evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding antimicrobial use and resistance among undergraduate medical students. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted by administering a 31-item pretested and prevalidated questionnaire. The questionnaire had five sections, relating to sociodemographic characteristics, antimicrobial consumption during the last year, knowledge about antibiotics, awareness of antibiotic resistance, and attitudes and behavior regarding antimicrobial use. Results: A total of 190 students participated in the study; 126 were from the College of Medicine and 64 were from the College of Applied Medical Sciences. The College of Medicine students demonstrated good knowledge in comparison to the Colleg...

Knowledge about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among health-related students in a Saudi University

Journal of infection in developing countries, 2021

INTRODUCTION Antibiotic resistance is a threat to public health and safety globally. The inadequate undergraduate education on antibiotic stewardship may contribute to the clinical malpractice of antibiotics, causing serious consequences toward patient health. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of future healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia on antibiotics, antibiotic use, and antibiotic resistance. The factors influencing the students' knowledge were also determined. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study using a survey questionnaire was carried out among 284 Clinical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Pharmacy students in Saudi Arabia from January to April 2019. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify the factors influencing the students' knowledge regarding antibiotics, antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. RESULTS The study found that students have above-average knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, whereas their knowledge of antib...