Abstract:
Background: Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is defined as a coordinated program that
promotes the appropriate selection, dosage, and time period of antimicrobial treatment for
treating or preventing infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms that result in
improved clinical and patient outcomes.
Objectives: Main objective was to assess the perception and practices towards
Antimicrobial Stewardship among Community Pharmacists in Western Province, Sri Lanka.
Methodology: Descriptive cross sectional study was carried out and a self-administered
questionnaire was used on community pharmacists. Convenience based sampling method
was used and the targeted study population was 100 community pharmacists in the Western
Province. A questionnaire including 25 close ended questions was used and data was
collected by researcher himself on face to face basis at the community pharmacies.
Results and conclusions: Among the 84 participants, 76.2% of the community pharmacists
were unaware on Antimicrobial Stewardship program and concept. Approximately 64.3% of
the participants agreed that AMS reduces the antimicrobial resistance. All participants
agreed that more educational activities, conferences and workshops should be implemented
to build awareness on antimicrobial use and that AMS should be incorporated at community
pharmacy level. Majority of the participants (69%) believed that AMS program helps
healthcare professionals to improve the quality of patient care. Most of them (58.3%)
dispense antimicrobials on prescription with complete clinical information. Rarely (64.3%)
sought additional clinical information before dispensing while 67.9% of them rarely ask the
patients about their knowledge of prescribed antimicrobial usage. Half of the participants
does not collaborate with other healthcare professionals and take part in awareness
campaigns on AMS. Therefore this research finding shows that majority of community
pharmacists show positive perception and practices on AMS. More awareness programs and
education should be given to them on AMS.
