Assessment of Awareness and Appropriate Behavioural Measures of Community Pharmacists Towards Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Survey.

P. Ansuman Abhisek; Shweta Supriya Pradhan; Sachin Tripathy; Pratyush Mishra; Trupti Rekha Swain; Deepak Choudhury; Senthilkumar S

doi:10.51168/4zqsdg19

Autori

P. Ansuman Abhisek SCB Medical College and Hospital
Shweta Supriya Pradhan SCB Medical College and Hospital
Sachin Tripathy SCB Medical College and Hospital
Pratyush Mishra MKCG Medical College and Hospital
Trupti Rekha Swain PMPM Medical College and Hospital
Deepak Choudhury MKCG Medical College and Hospital
Senthilkumar S SCB Medical College and Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/4zqsdg19

Cuvinte cheie:

Antimicrobial Resistance, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Community Pharmacy Services, Drug Resistance, Bacterial, Drug Dispensing, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Cross-Sectional Studies

Rezumat

Abstract

Introduction: The increasing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major challenges to public health and is largely due to the misuse of antimicrobials. Community Pharmacists (CPs) are vital in antimicrobial dispensing and AMS practice. This study sought to explore AMR awareness, practices, barriers, and associated determinants among CPs in Odisha, India. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among registered community pharmacists in Cuttack district. Out of 135 questionnaires distributed, 108 usable questionnaires were analyzed using a 38-item questionnaire including awareness/perceptions (12 items), dispensing practices (18 items), and barriers (8 items). I-CVI, scale-level CVI, Lawshe’s CVR, and Cronbach’s alpha were used for content validity and reliability, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify determinants of AMS practice adoption. Results: The majority of the participants were male (81.5%; n = 88) and had obtained a D.Pharm degree (61.1%; n = 66). Uninformed, inactive adopters, and those with high perceived barriers were 52.8% (n = 57), 55.6% (n = 60), and 61.1% (n = 66), respectively. About half (47.2%; n = 51) of the study population dispensed >60 antimicrobials per month without prescriptions. The I-CVI for all constructs was found to be 1.00. The alpha values of the awareness/perception and dispensing practice scales were 0.731 and 0.793, respectively. Increased years of experience among pharmacists were significantly associated with increased odds of being inactive AMS adopters (adjusted OR = 1.237; 95% CI: 1.016–1.505; p = 0.034). Nevertheless, the whole regression model was not significant (χ² = 11.585; df = 11; p = 0.396). Conclusion: There exist notable deficits in AMS awareness and practices, high perceived barriers and non-prescription dispensing which warrant interventions on the part of pharmacists. Generalizability: Findings mainly represent community pharmacists from one district but are indicative of similar contexts in Odisha and India at large.

Biografii autori

P. Ansuman Abhisek, SCB Medical College and Hospital

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India.
Shweta Supriya Pradhan, SCB Medical College and Hospital

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India.
Sachin Tripathy, SCB Medical College and Hospital

Senior Resident, Department of Pharmacology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India.
Pratyush Mishra, MKCG Medical College and Hospital

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, India.
Trupti Rekha Swain, PMPM Medical College and Hospital

Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, PMPM Medical College and Hospital, Talcher, Odisha, India.
Deepak Choudhury, MKCG Medical College and Hospital

Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India.
Senthilkumar S, SCB Medical College and Hospital

Senior Resident, Department of Pharmacology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India

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