Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal.
<h4>Background</h4>Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is a global public health issue, particularly in developing countries, including Nepal, where over-the-counter sales and self-medication of antimicrobials are common.<h4>Objectives</h4>To explore knowledge, perceptions, a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2024-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0297282&type=printable |
| _version_ | 1797349338212466688 |
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| author | Sabina Marasini Sudim Sharma Anjali Joshi Surakshya Kunwar Roshan Kumar Mahato Archana Shrestha Biraj Karmacharya |
| author_facet | Sabina Marasini Sudim Sharma Anjali Joshi Surakshya Kunwar Roshan Kumar Mahato Archana Shrestha Biraj Karmacharya |
| author_sort | Sabina Marasini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is a global public health issue, particularly in developing countries, including Nepal, where over-the-counter sales and self-medication of antimicrobials are common.<h4>Objectives</h4>To explore knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Nepal.<h4>Methods</h4>The study was conducted in three rural and five urban municipalities of the Kavrepalanchok district from May 2021 to August 2021. Data were collected using two qualitative approaches: In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis that combined deductive and inductive approaches to identify codes under pre-specified themes.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 16 In-depth interviews with medicine dispensers and 3 focus group discussions with community members were conducted. Knowledge regarding antimicrobial resistance varied among dispensers. Those with a prior educational background in pharmacy often had good knowledge about the causes and consequences of antimicrobial resistance. Meanwhile, consumers were less aware of antimicrobial resistance. Community members perceived antimicrobials as effective medicines but not long-term solution for treating diseases. They reported that dispensing without a prescription was common and that both consumers and dispensers were responsible for the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. On the contrary, several dispensers said that self-medication was common among the consumers, especially among more educated groups. The medicine dispensers and consumers expressed concerns about the weak enforcement of policies regarding pharmacy drug use and dispensing practices.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Promoting and strengthening the appropriate use of antimicrobials among medicine dispensers and community members is crucial. Bold policies and collective implementation of regulations could help combat antimicrobial resistance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:28:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-04e50b69dde147768b6d73f589a5d9b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:28:53Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-04e50b69dde147768b6d73f589a5d9b82024-01-22T05:31:21ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-01191e029728210.1371/journal.pone.0297282Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal.Sabina MarasiniSudim SharmaAnjali JoshiSurakshya KunwarRoshan Kumar MahatoArchana ShresthaBiraj Karmacharya<h4>Background</h4>Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is a global public health issue, particularly in developing countries, including Nepal, where over-the-counter sales and self-medication of antimicrobials are common.<h4>Objectives</h4>To explore knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Nepal.<h4>Methods</h4>The study was conducted in three rural and five urban municipalities of the Kavrepalanchok district from May 2021 to August 2021. Data were collected using two qualitative approaches: In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis that combined deductive and inductive approaches to identify codes under pre-specified themes.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 16 In-depth interviews with medicine dispensers and 3 focus group discussions with community members were conducted. Knowledge regarding antimicrobial resistance varied among dispensers. Those with a prior educational background in pharmacy often had good knowledge about the causes and consequences of antimicrobial resistance. Meanwhile, consumers were less aware of antimicrobial resistance. Community members perceived antimicrobials as effective medicines but not long-term solution for treating diseases. They reported that dispensing without a prescription was common and that both consumers and dispensers were responsible for the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. On the contrary, several dispensers said that self-medication was common among the consumers, especially among more educated groups. The medicine dispensers and consumers expressed concerns about the weak enforcement of policies regarding pharmacy drug use and dispensing practices.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Promoting and strengthening the appropriate use of antimicrobials among medicine dispensers and community members is crucial. Bold policies and collective implementation of regulations could help combat antimicrobial resistance.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0297282&type=printable |
| spellingShingle | Sabina Marasini Sudim Sharma Anjali Joshi Surakshya Kunwar Roshan Kumar Mahato Archana Shrestha Biraj Karmacharya Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal. PLoS ONE |
| title | Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal. |
| title_full | Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal. |
| title_fullStr | Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal. |
| title_short | Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal. |
| title_sort | exploring knowledge perceptions and practices of antimicrobials and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in kavrepalanchok district of nepal |
| url | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0297282&type=printable |
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