Knowledge, attitude, and practices of hospital and community pharmacy staff towards antimicrobial stewardship program in Islamabad, Pakistan

Muhammad Adil Khan; Sidra Noor; Farman Ullah Khan; Abdul Mannan; Khawaja Abdul Qadeer

doi:10.32593/jstmu/Vol7.Iss2.281

Muhammad Adil Khan Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia,
Sidra Noor Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
Farman Ullah Khan Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
Abdul Mannan Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
Khawaja Abdul Qadeer Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32593/jstmu/Vol7.Iss2.281

Keywords: Hospital Pharmacist, Community Pharmacist, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, Knowldege, Attitude, Practice, Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

Introduction: Worldwide, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to public health. Considerable evidence suggests that the knowledge and attitude among the hospital and community pharmacy staff (HCPS) can play a vital role in the evidence-based dispensing of antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HCPS towards antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) in the Capital City of Pakistan.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to May 2022 among HCPS (n = 385) using a validated questionnaire. Various statistical tests were used to analyze the data.

Results: Overall response rate was 96% (385/400). Most participants (55.3%) were aged 18-24 years, with 40% holding an undergraduate education, and 32.2% were licensed pharmacists. A significant proportion (61.6%) worked in community pharmacies. Overall, participants exhibited good knowledge (median (IQR) = 4 (3-5)) and practice (22 (20-23)) related to rational antibiotic use and dispensing, with an excellent attitude (5 (1-7)) toward ASP. KAP scores varied significantly across demographic factors such as gender, age, education level, occupation, and pharmacy type.

Conclusion: The participants exhibited good knowledge and positive attitudes toward ASP. However, practices were substantially up to the mark. Based on the current study’s results, the drug regulatory authority of Pakistan should reinforce regulations on the dispensing of non-prescription antibiotics. Moreover, HCPS should be more vigilant regarding the consequences of AMR.

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Author Biographies

Muhammad Adil Khan, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia,

M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia

Sidra Noor, Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

Farman Ullah Khan, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abdul Mannan, Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

Khawaja Abdul Qadeer, Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

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