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Paramedical staffs knowledge and attitudes towards antimicrobial resistance in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia: a cross sectional
Belay Tafa1,2, Adugna Endale3, Desalegn Bekele3
1School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. belaytf@gmail.com.
Background:
The continuing emergence, development and spread of pathogenic organisms that are resistant to antimicrobials are a cause of increasing concern. The control of antimicrobial resistance requires knowledge of factors causing antimicrobial resistance, good attitudes towards the intervention strategies as well as changes in antibiotic prescribing behavior of health workers. Hence, this study was aimed to assess paramedical staffs' knowledge and attitudes towards antimicrobial resistance and their antibiotics prescription practices in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among paramedical staffs working in hospitals and health centers. A total of 218 paramedical staffs were participated and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi square/Fisher's exact tests were used for comparison of data and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
Out of the total, 137 (62.8%) of paramedical staffs had good knowledge on the factors causing antimicrobial resistance. The most common causes of antimicrobial resistance reported were patients' poor adherence (96.5%), self prescription (95%), and empiric choice of antibiotics (94.5%). In general, more than 80% of the respondents had positive attitudes towards the antimicrobials resistance intervention strategies. Relatively less proportion of participants recognized that antimicrobial resistance as a problem in their local institutions. The most perceived driving forces for unnecessary antibiotics prescriptions were treatment failure (67.7%) and patient push (53.3%). The majority, 76.9% of the prescribers mentioned that standard treatment guidelines were available in their institutions though only 15.7% of them reported referring the guidelines on the daily basis. Among the prescribers, 85.8% never attended formal trainings on antibiotics prescriptions.
Conclusions:
As this study generated important information on knowledge and attitudes of paramedical staffs about antimicrobial resistance, it identified areas of misconceptions and specific groups to be targeted for educational interventions regarding antimicrobial resistance. It is, therefore, suggested that a well-planned, organized and structured training programs should be undertaken to improve the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern. This study found that while most paramedical staff in Ethiopia have good knowledge and positive attitudes towards antimicrobial resistance, targeted education is needed to improve antibiotic prescribing practices and address misconceptions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat.
- Effective control of AMR necessitates understanding contributing factors, positive attitudes towards interventions, and improved antibiotic prescribing behaviors among healthcare workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge and attitudes of paramedical staff regarding antimicrobial resistance.
- To evaluate the antibiotic prescription practices of paramedical staff in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 218 paramedical staff in hospitals and health centers.
- Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS, employing Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests for significance (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- 62.8% of staff demonstrated good knowledge of AMR causes, with poor patient adherence, self-prescription, and empiric antibiotic choice being commonly cited.
- Over 80% held positive attitudes towards AMR intervention strategies, though recognition of AMR as a local institutional problem was lower.
- Treatment failure and patient pressure were key drivers for unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions; only 15.7% used standard treatment guidelines daily, and 85.8% had no formal antibiotic prescription training.
Conclusions:
- The study identified knowledge gaps and misconceptions among paramedical staff concerning antimicrobial resistance.
- Targeted educational interventions are crucial for specific groups to enhance understanding and address issues like inappropriate antibiotic use.
- Structured training programs are recommended to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics and combat antimicrobial resistance effectively.
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