Zhitong Feng1,2,3,4, Khezar Hayat1,2,3,5, Zhe Huang6, Li Shi1,2,3,4, Pengchao Li1,2,3,4, Cheng Xiang1,2,3,4, Yilin Gong1,2,3,4, Jie Chang1,2,3,4, Minghuan Jiang1,2,3,4, Caijun Yang1,2,3,4, Mingyue Zhao1,2,3,4, Wenjing Ji1,2,3,4, Yu Fang1,2,3,4. 1. Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China. 2. Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China. 3. Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China. 4. Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China's Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi'an, China. 5. Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. 6. School of Business Administration, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century, and the illegal sale of antimicrobial drugs at community pharmacies is a driver of antimicrobial resistance. This study explores the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pharmacy staff toward antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among community pharmacy staff in Northeastern China, from April 1 to 31 May 2019, using a self-administered KAP questionnaire comprising 20 items. The data analysis was carried out by employing Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: A response rate of 98.5% (394/400) was obtained. The majority of participants (94.9%) demonstrated a good understanding of antimicrobial use, but they lacked an adequate understanding of ASPs. Nearly half of the participants (40.6%) reported that they sold antimicrobials to patients without a prescription. Education level, age, occupation, and experience were all significantly associated (P < 0.05) with participants' median ASPs scores. Besides, the presence of a licensed pharmacist (OR 46.327, 95% CI 2.443-878.451, P = 0.011) was the main factor associated with the pharmacy staff's understanding of antimicrobial use policies. CONCLUSIONS: The participants' knowledge of antimicrobials was good, and their attitudes regarding ASPs were positive, but their practices regarding ASPs were poor.
BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century, and the illegal sale of antimicrobial drugs at community pharmacies is a driver of antimicrobial resistance. This study explores the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pharmacy staff toward antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among community pharmacy staff in Northeastern China, from April 1 to 31 May 2019, using a self-administered KAP questionnaire comprising 20 items. The data analysis was carried out by employing Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: A response rate of 98.5% (394/400) was obtained. The majority of participants (94.9%) demonstrated a good understanding of antimicrobial use, but they lacked an adequate understanding of ASPs. Nearly half of the participants (40.6%) reported that they sold antimicrobials to patients without a prescription. Education level, age, occupation, and experience were all significantly associated (P < 0.05) with participants' median ASPs scores. Besides, the presence of a licensed pharmacist (OR 46.327, 95% CI 2.443-878.451, P = 0.011) was the main factor associated with the pharmacy staff's understanding of antimicrobial use policies. CONCLUSIONS: The participants' knowledge of antimicrobials was good, and their attitudes regarding ASPs were positive, but their practices regarding ASPs were poor.
Entities:
Keywords:
ASP; China; Community pharmacies; KAP; antimicrobial stewardship program