Perceptions and knowledge regarding antimicrobial stewardship among clinicians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives:To understand the perceptions, attitude, and prescribing practices of clinicians regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR).Methods:A multidisciplinary cross-sectional study comprising 447 clinicians of university, public, and private hospitals of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was carried out from August to October 2014 using a self-administered questionnaire.Results:Interestingly, 33% of the general physicians yielded to patient/parent’s demand for the choice of antimicrobials (AMs) as compared with only 13.2% of the residents, and 4.3% of the specialists. In addition, expensive AMs are more often prescribed by the general physician (70.4%) in comparison with 26.4% residents and 30.4% of the specialists. However, no significant differences were observed between the knowledge and perceptions regarding the current scope of AM agents, as well as their use and misuse. Furthermore, dependability of specialist and residents seems to be significantly higher than general physicians on pocketbooks and smartphone for AM education sources.Conclusion:This study revealed that despite a clear concept of AMR, general physicians lacks consistency in prescribing aptitude and use of effective educational resources, while all respondents lacks dedication to follow the guidelines of AM use. This highlights the requirement of AM stewardship with decisive objective of reduction in AMR.

Veterinarians’ Perception, Knowledge and Practices of Antibiotic Stewardship in Enugu State Southeast, Nigeria

“…Unfortunately, nearly all the respondents in the current study do not know that therapeutic monitoring of antibiotic, study of antibiotics and improved hygiene were also strategies of ABS (Abbo et al, 2013;Roca et al, 2015). The major key factor in the repression of ABR is reduction of disproportionate antibiotic utilization and this could be accomplished to a great extent by modification of prescribing manners of the clinicians/veterinarians (Dryden et al, 2011;Al-Harthi et al, 2013;Al-Harthi et al, 2015). Reduction in antibiotic use in veterinary settings could be achieved by improved personal hygiene by the veterinarians, animal handlers / caretakers and improved environmental sanitation (biosecurity) in the farm (Coyne et al, 2016: Rhouma et al, 2016.…”

A stepwise introduction of a successful antimicrobial stewardship program

“… 39 Data from Saudi Arabia showed that despite good levels of awareness among physicians regarding MDR and the existence of local and national antimicrobial prescribing guidelines, a great proportion of them stated that they do not always comply with these guidelines. 40 , 41 Fear for patient’s prognosis, in addition to complacent prescribing, have been found to be the most significant risk factors of antibiotic misprescription. 41 - 43 A communication from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK reported that 9 out of 10 general practitioners feel pressured to prescribe antibiotics and almost 100% of patients can get an antibiotic prescription on request.…”

Antimicrobial resistance pattern of Acinetobacter spp. isolated from clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital at Madinah, Saudi Arabia

“…A recent study showed that Saudi diabetic patients were significantly more likely to carry carbapenem-resistant isolates of this species (Alsultan et al 2013). It has now become crucial to deal with MDR and this is possible by first being aware of the perils involved and then formulating and complying with appropriate guidelines (Baadani et al, 2015;Al-Harthi et al, 2015). The present study is an effort to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Acinetobacter spp.…”