A prospective, questionnaire-based study to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of rational use of antibiotics among clinical practitioners in a tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Irrational antibacterial usage leads to emergence of antibiotic resistance. Hence, to ensure rational prescription regular clinical audits are essential in tertiary care hospitals. Aim and Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of clinician抯 on rational use of antibiotics in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: The prospective, questionnaire-based study was conducted on clinicians in a tertiary care hospital, after getting approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee to obtain information on rational antibiotic usage and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The study included 100 clinicians. 95% were aware about Rational antibiotic usage, the ingredients, adverse effects, interactions, contraindications, and cost of the drugs they prescribe and they were also analyzing the culture and sensitivity report before prescription of antibiotics, but only 48% of them were prescribing antibiotics from National List of Essential Medicines, 35% were influenced by patient demands. Around 80% agreed with the usefulness of the feedback given by fellow colleagues on antibiotic decisions. Though 98% of them were aware of the hazards of antibiotic resistance only 68% knew about antibiogram and having antibiotic policy at the workplace. In practice, 95% were showing special interest in proper antibiotic usage, 82% knew the new antibiotics available and 91% were providing proper counseling to patients. 95% suggested the need for training on rational use of medicines and antibiotic policy post MBBS. Conclusion: The clinicians recognized the importance of rational antibiotic use in preventing its resistance thus reducing health care burden on the patients.