Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Paramedical staff towards antibiotic usage and its resistance
Kanimozhi Sadasivam1*, Balaji Chinnasami2, Balaji Ramraj3, Karthick N.4 and Saravanan A.51Department of Physiology, SRM Medical College, Hospital and Research Institute,Potheri, Kattankulathur, Chennai- 603203, Tamilnadu, India. 2Department of Pediatrics, SRM Medical College, Hospital and Research Institute, Potheri, Kattankulathur, Chennai- 603203, Tamilnadu, India. 3Department of Community Medicine, SRM Medical College, Hospital and Research Institute, Potheri, Kattankulathur, Chennai- 603203, Tamilnadu, India. 4Department of Physiology, SRM Medical College, Hospital and Research Institute,Potheri, Kattankulathur, Chennai- 603203, Tamilnadu, India. 5 Department of Physiology, SRM Medical College, Hospital and Research Institute, Potheri, Kattankulathur, Chennai- 603203, Tamilnadu, India. Corresponding Authoe Email : dr_kani2002@yahoo.co.in
Abstract: To measure the knowledge, attitude and perceived practices about antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance among Para-medical staffs working in a medical college & tertiary care hospital. This is a cross-sectional quantitative questionnaire based study in which four forty one paramedical staffs were given a 25 item pretested self-administered questionnaire. The survey questions focused on key topics related to antibiotic knowledge, attitude and perceived practices pertaining to antibiotic usage. The response rate was 100%. Majority of participants were less than 30 years of age and graduates. They demonstrated good knowledge of antibiotic resistance (82%) and side effects (91%). However, there was general misconception regarding indication of antibiotic treatment with only 17.1% agreeing that antibiotics have no role against viruses. The overall attitude was poor as 66% expected antibiotic prescription for short duration fever and common cold. An alarming 93% anticipated treatment with antibiotics for ear infection in children. Among the participants nurses and pharmacists had 4 times better knowledge about antibiotics as compared to other paramedical staffs. There was no significant association between antibiotic prescription patterns and trust over doctors. Majority of participants’ knowledge towards antibiotic resistance and side effects were above par. Still, their attitude and practices concerning usage is poor and outcome based education like frequent CME’s and awareness campaign could be an effective approach to bridge the gap between from knowledge to practice.
Keywords: Antibiotics; knowledge; antibiotic resistance; self-medication; paramedical staffs Back to TOC