Assessing the Perception and Practices towards Antimicrobial Stewardship among Community Pharmacists in Western Province of Sri Lanka

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.