Assessment of Community Pharmacists’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health problem all over the globe. A cross sectional study in different zones of Hyderabad city was conducted with the aim of evaluating community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. A self-administered questionnaire was developed as data collection tool. Responses were recorded and scored using 5-Point Likert Scale. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages and statistical tests were used to analyse the data. Data was collected from 40 community pharmacists. Results showed that the community pharmacist had poor knowledge on antibiotics and poor antibiotic dispensing practice. About 31(78%) pharmacists never heard about the term antimicrobial resistance. Our study highlighted that there were only 15 pharmacists who considered antimicrobial resistance as a serious issue. Most of the pharmacists (n=20) agreed that antibiotics can be dispensed without prescription. Around 26 pharmacists dispense antibiotics to treat minor ailments without a prescription. The most common reason given by community pharmacists for dispensing antibiotics without prescription was, request for antibiotics by the patients. The study highlights that there is a need for the community pharmacists to update their knowledge and improve their awareness on antibiotic resistance. Short term, intensive training programs are needed to improve their knowledge and practice regarding antibiotic use and resistance.