EFFECTIVENESS OF PHARMACISTS’ INTERVENTION IN IMPROVING PATIENTS KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS ANTIBIOTIC USAGE IN KLINIK KESIHATAN SEREMBAN, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Introduction: Antibiotics are an important tool in the battle against infections. Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem; hence the appropriate use of antibiotics is significant in the primary healthcare system in Malaysia. Objective: 1) To understand community’s knowledge and attitude towards antibiotic use. 2) To determine the effectiveness of pharmacist intervention in proper antibiotic use. Method: A cross-sectional, prospective study with convenient sampling using a pre-validated guided questionnaire was conducted in September 2016 for pre-data collection. Implementations of remedial measures were carried out in October 2016. Results: Nearly 54.3% of the respondents had moderate knowledge, 36.8% had good knowledge before and 95.53% after intervention. 99.47% could identify that antibiotics are indicated for the treatment of bacterial infections compared to before intervention (55.79%). However, 67.4% incorrectly thought that antibiotics are used to treat viral infections which reduced to 4.74% after intervention. Generally, respondents had a negative attitude before intervention with mean 5.57 compared to after intervention (7.22). Paired T-test obtained shows that pharmacy intervention had a positive impact in improving patient’s knowledge, the mean score of 11.19 compared to pre-intervention 6.74 with significance (P-value = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Pharmacist intervention in improving patient’s knowledge and attitude was found to be successful towards antibiotic use.