A Survey on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice about Antibiotic Prescribing and Resistance among Medical Practitioners in Kenya [Version 1; Peer Review: Awaiting Peer Review].
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AAS Open Research
Abstract
Background
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat worldwide and especially in developing countries. Irrational antibiotic prescription as well as lack of the requisite knowledge and awareness of proper antibiotic use are major drivers of antibiotic resistance. In Kenya, although the Ministry of Health has developed antibiotic use guidelines, these guidelines are not widely followed. Antibiotic prescription is, therefore, hugely at the discretion of the clinician. It is thus necessary to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of antibiotic prescription among medical practitioners in the country. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among antibiotic prescribers in three counties (Kiambu, Nakuru, and Bungoma) in Kenya.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Simple descriptive statistics were used to generate frequencies, percentages, and proportions. Where necessary, univariate analyses such as Pearson’s chi-square were performed to compare proportions for statistical significance.
Results
From the three counties, 240 respondents recorded their responses: 30% from Kiambu, 34.6% from Nakuru, and 35.4% from Bungoma. The respondents included 19 (7.9%) consultants, 66 (27.4%) medical
officers, 135 (56.3%) clinical officers and 20 (8.3%) pharmacists. Of all respondents, more than 90% agreed or strongly agreed that antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a catastrophe worldwide and in Kenya. However, the proportion of the respondents who either agreed or strongly agreed (71.6%) that antibiotic resistance is a problem in their respective health facilities was significantly lower (ρ=0.013).
Conclusion
This study revealed that most medical practitioners were aware and knowledgeable about antibiotic resistance. However, there was a disconnect with mitigation measures such as active antibiotic stewardship and laboratory analyses to support judicious prescription. There is, therefore, a need for continuous education and stewardship interventions.
Description
Research Article.
Keywords
Antimicrobials, Antimicrobial Resistance, KAP-Survey, Kenya, Antibiotics, Antibiotic Prescription, Medical Practitioners
Citation
Kamita, M., Mutungi, J. K., Mungai, S., Mureithi, D., Kijogi, C., Kimani, R., ... & Gitaka, J. (2022). A survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice about antibiotic prescribing and resistance among medical practitioners in Kenya. Open Research Africa, 5(3), 3.
URI
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=A+Survey+on+Knowledge%2C+Attitude%2C+and+Practice+about+Antibiotic+Prescribing+and+Resistance+among+Medical+Practitioners+in+Kenya+%5BVersion+1%3B+Peer+Review%3A+Awaiting+Peer+Review%5D&btnG=#d=gs_cit&t=1747904767046&u=%2Fscholar%3Fq%3Dinfo%3Ao6zIIFVYcjYJ%3Ascholar.google.com%2F%26output%3Dcite%26scirp%3D0%26hl%3Den
https://repository.chuka.ac.ke/handle/123456789/18844
https://repository.chuka.ac.ke/handle/123456789/18844