Abstract

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS ON ANTIBIOTIC USE AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY IN THRISSUR DISTRICT

Archana P.*, Dr. Rosmi Jose, Jisni George P., Asna A. H., Emil Rose Paulson P., Sreelakshmi K. S. and Krishnapriya O. U.

ABSTRACT

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat, significantly driven by inappropriate antibiotic use. Community pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring the rational use of antibiotics. Understanding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use and resistance is essential to devise effective interventions. Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of community pharmacists in Thrissur district regarding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. Methods: A questionnaire based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among community pharmacists in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on their 1) knowledge of antibiotics (14 questions), 2) attitude towards antibiotic use (13 statements), 3) antibiotic dispensing practices (11 statements),4) demographic and professional characteristics (8 questions), and 5) perceptions towards antibiotic resistance. They were estimated and analysed by using SPSS, ANOVA and PCC. Result: Among 207 community pharmacists, 82.1% had extensive knowledge and 19.7% had a moderate knowledge about antibiotics & antibiotic resistance. 97.6% of the participants follows best practice and almost all the participants had a positive attitude towards the antibiotic usage and its resistance. About 40.1% of the pharmacists have extensive perception towards antibiotic resistance. The factors leading to the dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription include growing public demand, financial incentives, and promotion by pharmaceutical companies, among others. However, pharmacists intimated that they did not dispense antibiotics without prescriptions for severe cases and for patients with unknown medical history. Conclusion: The study concluded good knowledge, attitude, and practice among the community pharmacists. Despite the good knowledge, there are obvious knowledge gaps present among them. Ensuring patient safety and the proper dispensing & use of antibiotics likely requires a combination of public education, professional training, and strict enforcement of regulations.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Antibiotic resistance, Antibiotic knowledge, attitude, practice, community pharmacists, cross sectional survey.