Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among Sri Lankan doctors
<h4>Introduction</h4> Prescribers have a major role in preventing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through appropriate prescribing. However, in countries like Sri Lanka, where continuous professional development is not mandatory for license renewal and antimicrobial stewardship is not impl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2022-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824337/?tool=EBI |
| _version_ | 1811319151573073920 |
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| author | Gihan Shu Kaushika Jayawardena Dinesh Jayaweera Patabandige Asanka Tennegedara Veranja Liyanapathirana |
| author_facet | Gihan Shu Kaushika Jayawardena Dinesh Jayaweera Patabandige Asanka Tennegedara Veranja Liyanapathirana |
| author_sort | Gihan Shu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Introduction</h4> Prescribers have a major role in preventing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through appropriate prescribing. However, in countries like Sri Lanka, where continuous professional development is not mandatory for license renewal and antimicrobial stewardship is not implemented, prescribing practices go largely unchecked. <h4>Objectives</h4> To identify the knowledge on antibiotic use and practices related to antibiotic prescribing among Sri Lankan doctors. <h4>Methods</h4> This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. We used a validated, pretested Google-form based questionnaire with multiple choices, single best answer questions, polar questions (Yes/No) and five-point Likert scale questions. The Google-sheet generated was used for data analysis. Knowledge and practice scores were calculated. <h4>Results</h4> Of the 262 respondents, 40.1% were males. Majority (61.8%) were aged 25–35-years and in medical practice for 0–5 years (48.9%) while 46.2% had or were engaged in post graduate studies. Knowledge scores ranged from 98.31% to 46.55% [mean:71.27% (SD±10.83); median:71.18% (IQR 64.4–79.7)]. Most (98.09%) obtained ≥50 marks while 45.8% scored more than the mean. The practice scores ranged from 100% to 0% [mean:65.33% (SD±18.16), median:66.67% (IQR53.3–80)]. The majority (81.3%) scored ≥50 in the practice score while 52.3% achieved more than the mean practice score. The knowledge score and the practice score differed significantly (p<0.001, related sample Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test) but the knowledge and practice scores were significantly correlated [Spearman correlation, p<0.001, r = 0.343 (Bias corrected 95% CI 0.237–0.448)]. Knowledge scores and the practice scores were significantly higher in those with or undergoing postgraduate training. <h4>Conclusions</h4> While the knowledge and practice scores were high, and knowledge and practice scores were correlated, the practices score was lower than that of knowledge indicating the need to encourage correct practices through means other than solely promoting knowledge. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:37:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3451ac15d2da4cd492ac3af7e24797b1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:37:54Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-3451ac15d2da4cd492ac3af7e24797b12022-12-22T02:46:36ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-01172Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among Sri Lankan doctorsGihan ShuKaushika JayawardenaDinesh Jayaweera PatabandigeAsanka TennegedaraVeranja Liyanapathirana<h4>Introduction</h4> Prescribers have a major role in preventing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through appropriate prescribing. However, in countries like Sri Lanka, where continuous professional development is not mandatory for license renewal and antimicrobial stewardship is not implemented, prescribing practices go largely unchecked. <h4>Objectives</h4> To identify the knowledge on antibiotic use and practices related to antibiotic prescribing among Sri Lankan doctors. <h4>Methods</h4> This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. We used a validated, pretested Google-form based questionnaire with multiple choices, single best answer questions, polar questions (Yes/No) and five-point Likert scale questions. The Google-sheet generated was used for data analysis. Knowledge and practice scores were calculated. <h4>Results</h4> Of the 262 respondents, 40.1% were males. Majority (61.8%) were aged 25–35-years and in medical practice for 0–5 years (48.9%) while 46.2% had or were engaged in post graduate studies. Knowledge scores ranged from 98.31% to 46.55% [mean:71.27% (SD±10.83); median:71.18% (IQR 64.4–79.7)]. Most (98.09%) obtained ≥50 marks while 45.8% scored more than the mean. The practice scores ranged from 100% to 0% [mean:65.33% (SD±18.16), median:66.67% (IQR53.3–80)]. The majority (81.3%) scored ≥50 in the practice score while 52.3% achieved more than the mean practice score. The knowledge score and the practice score differed significantly (p<0.001, related sample Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test) but the knowledge and practice scores were significantly correlated [Spearman correlation, p<0.001, r = 0.343 (Bias corrected 95% CI 0.237–0.448)]. Knowledge scores and the practice scores were significantly higher in those with or undergoing postgraduate training. <h4>Conclusions</h4> While the knowledge and practice scores were high, and knowledge and practice scores were correlated, the practices score was lower than that of knowledge indicating the need to encourage correct practices through means other than solely promoting knowledge.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824337/?tool=EBI |
| spellingShingle | Gihan Shu Kaushika Jayawardena Dinesh Jayaweera Patabandige Asanka Tennegedara Veranja Liyanapathirana Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among Sri Lankan doctors PLoS ONE |
| title | Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among Sri Lankan doctors |
| title_full | Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among Sri Lankan doctors |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among Sri Lankan doctors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among Sri Lankan doctors |
| title_short | Knowledge, perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among Sri Lankan doctors |
| title_sort | knowledge perceptions and practices on antibiotic use among sri lankan doctors |
| url | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824337/?tool=EBI |
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