Antibiotic resistance: Perspective of the physicians from West Bengal

Abstract

Context: Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to global health emerging rapidly in recent years, especially in countries such as India. Aims: This study aims to study the knowledge, attitude, and practices of physicians toward this issue. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study, over a period of 9 months, involving 100 medical officers working at primary and secondary tier hospitals in West Bengal. Subjects and Methods: A pretested, structured questionnaire with 15 items was used to collect information on knowledge, attitude, and practices. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were tabulated and analyzed. Results: About 61% had worked in infectious disease ward, 95% did not have any special training on rational antibiotic use. 84% had prescribed antibiotics more than 30 times in the past 3 months. Furthermore, 87%, 80%, and 67% reported confidence in prescribing correct type, correct dose, and correct duration of antibiotic, respectively. Previous knowledge/training and national policy/guidelines were prominent guiding factors for prescribing. 84% think antibiotic resistance is a national problem and 69% think that it exists in their hospitals. Patient push and fear of the treatment failure were the driving forces behind overprescription of antibiotics. More than half of the respondents think too many antibiotics prescribed, too long duration, too low dose, and use in livestock were the reason for the spread of antibiotic resistance. More than 50% think policy, training, monitoring, and regulation would help in combating antibiotic resistance. Conclusions: Identifying and addressing the driving forces behind the irrational use of antibiotics and bridging knowledge and attitude gap of clinicians would help combating antibiotic resistance. Appropriate policies, training, monitoring, and involving physicians as key stakeholders would be necessary for addressing the issue.