Abstract
BackgroundIncreasing antimicrobial resistance is one of the pressing concerns globally. Injudicious use of antibiotics is one of the modifiable factors responsible for antimicrobial resistance. Given the widespread use of antimicrobials in community settings, pharmacists have an important role in ensuring appropriate use of antibiotics. The objective of this study was to assess the perception and self-reported practices of community pharmacists towards antimicrobial stewardship.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists between March–April, 2015, using a self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire in the State of Selangor, Malaysia. A simple random sampling approach was used to select pharmacy sites. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data.ResultsA total of 188 pharmacists responded to the survey, giving a response rate of 83.5%. The majority of participants (n = 182, 96.8%) believed that antimicrobial stewardship program helps healthcare professionals to improve the quality of patient care. However, more than half of pharmacists were neutral in their opinion about the incorporation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in community pharmacies (n = 102, 54.2%). Though collaboration was often done by pharmacists with other health professionals over the use of antibiotics (n = 104, 55.3%), a significant proportion of participants (n = 102, 54.2%) rarely/occasionally participate in antimicrobial awareness campaigns. Pharmacists having postgraduate qualification were more likely to held positive perceptions of, and were engaged in, antimicrobial stewardship than their non-postgraduate counterpart (p<0.05). Similarly, more experienced pharmacists (> 10 years) held positive perceptions towards antimicrobial stewardship (p<0.05).ConclusionThe study highlighted some gaps in the perception and practices of community pharmacist towards antimicrobial stewardship. Development of customized interventions would be critical to bridging these gaps and improve their perception and practices towards antimicrobial stewardship.
Highlights
The increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria is leading to increasing mortality from otherwise treatable infections
The majority of participants (n = 182, 96.8%) believed that antimicrobial stewardship program helps healthcare professionals to improve the quality of patient care
More than half of pharmacists were neutral in their opinion about the incorporation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in community pharmacies (n = 102, 54.2%)
Summary
The increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria is leading to increasing mortality from otherwise treatable infections. It is estimated that around 26,000 people are dying from multi-drug resistant bacteria in the United States each year [1, 2]. Mortality in other parts of the world is alarming with about 25,000 patients die each year in European Union countries from infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria [3]. A number of factors are responsible for the increasing antimicrobial resistance. Several researchers have highlighted the association between the use of antibiotic and its resistance, both at the individual and community level [7]. Injudicious use of antibiotics is one of the modifiable factors responsible for antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to assess the perception and self-reported practices of community pharmacists towards antimicrobial stewardship
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