Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of antimicrobial prescription and its resistance among health care providers in the COVID-19 era: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered as a global health and development threat. During COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in antimicrobial resistance. Health care providers (HCPs) play the main role in facing antibiotic resistance because they have the authority to prescribe antibiotics during clinical practice as well as in promoting patients’ compliance with therapies and avoid self-medication. So, this study will serve as an important source of information in context with Covid19 pandemic in Egypt. The data was collected using a validated standardized self-administered online questionnaire compromised of four sections: socio-demographic data of the HCPs, the general knowledge on antibiotics and AMR, the HCP attitude towards antibiotic prescription and AMR and the practice in applying the appropriate antibiotic prescription. Most of HCPs (93.7%) recorded good knowledge level about antibiotic prescription and antimicrobial resistance with mean score of knowledge13.21 ± 1.83. About 79% of HCPs recorded a positive attitude towards proper antibiotic prescription with mean score of attitudes 63.02 ± 7.68. Fifty four percent of HCPs demonstrated a good level of practice with mean score of practice 9.75 ± 2.17. In conclusion, HCPs in our study have a good level of knowledge and attitude about antibiotics. However lower level of proper practice towards the problem of AMR in COVID19 era was noticed. Implementation of effective policies and guidelines is crucial to evaluate the antimicrobial use especially in the COVID-19 era to reduce the unintended consequences of the misuse of antibiotics and its impact on AMR.