Document Type
Article
Department
Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa; School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa
Abstract
Background
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is significantly driven by misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Graduate health profession interns often prescribe antimicrobials under minimum supervision.
Objectives
This study explored the knowledge, perceptions and confidence of health profession interns in Uganda regarding AMR and rational prescription practices.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional survey employing quantitative techniques carried out between October and November 2022 at six tertiary hospitals in Uganda. Health profession interns including doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists were recruited as study participants. Data were collected using online Kobo toolbox software. Data analysis was performed using STATA (StataCorp) version 16. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
We recruited 281 participants with a mean age of 27 ± 3.8 years, of which few (n = 53; 19%) had good knowledge about AMR and rational prescription. The use of professional organization guidelines as a source of information was significantly associated with good knowledge (adjusted OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.0–3.5; P = 0.046). Nurses had the least knowledge compared with doctors and pharmacists. Continuous medical education (99%) and availability of clinical guidelines (98%) were identified as the most helpful intervention to improve knowledge. Most participants were confident about accurately diagnosing infections and sepsis and selecting appropriate antimicrobials.
Conclusions
Continuous medical education and availability of clinical and professional organization guidelines should be leveraged to improve the knowledge of AMR and rational prescription among health profession interns. Their high confidence in rational prescription practices should be pivotal to the fight against AMR.
Publication (Name of Journal)
JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlad105
Recommended Citation
Shamim Nabidda, Rogers Ssennyonjo, Joseph Atwaru, Andrew Marvin Kanyike, Shiellah Baryayaka, Kennedy Pangholi, Jonans Tusiimire, Antimicrobial resistance and rational prescription practices: knowledge, perceptions and confidence of health profession interns in Uganda, JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2023, dlad105, https://doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlad105