Table 2.
Knowledge of antibiotic prescriptions and antimicrobial resistance among physicians in Nigeria
| Knowledge questions | % Correct | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Awareness of antibiotic use and resistance | |
| Have you previously heard about any of the following? | ||
| 1 | Rational antibiotic use | 89.6 |
| 2 | Antibiotic resistance | 97.7 |
| 3 | Antibiotic stewardship program | 40.6 |
| 4 | Antibiogram | 45.3 |
| 5 | Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) | 83.2 |
| 6 | Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) | 74.2 |
| 7 | Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) | 65.3 |
| 8 | Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) | 48.9 |
| Overall % correct—median (IQR) = 75 (62.5, 87.5) | ||
| B | Knowledge of rational antibiotic use | |
| Concerning antibiotic use which of the following statements are correct? | ||
| 9 | Antibiotics should not be used to treat non-bacterial infections | 76.6 |
| 10 | Antibiotics may be used to treat common cold | 71.5 |
| 11 | Antibiotics should be avoided in cases of acute diarrhoea | 51.5 |
| 12 | Antibiotics should be stopped as soon as patient symptoms resolve | 84.1 |
| 13 | Antibiotics should only be stopped after completing recommended doses | 85.4 |
| 14 | Parenteral antibiotics are more effective than oral antibiotics | 49 |
| 15 | Prophylactic surgical antibiotic should be discontinued after 24hours | 39.4 |
| 16 | Prophylactic surgical antibiotic should not be given for less than 3 days | 47.1 |
| Overall % correct—median (IQR) = 62.5 (50, 75) | ||
| C | Knowledge of definition of AMR | |
| 17 | Antibiotic resistance means the micro-organism is resistant to the antibiotic | 69.3 |
| D | Knowledge of causes of AMR | |
| The following are known to promote emergence of antibiotic resistance? | ||
| 18 | Widespread use of antibiotics | 90 |
| 19 | Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics | 56.6 |
| 20 | Antibiotic use in animal husbandry | 41.5 |
| 21 | Antibiotic use in farming | 39.7 |
| 22 | Poor practice of hand hygiene in hospitals | 47.7 |
| 23 | Prescribing parenteral antibiotics | 62.6 |
| 24 | Lack of antibiotics prescribing guidelines | 91.8 |
| 25 | Microbial mutations | 94.3 |
| 26 | Premature interruption of antibiotics | 92.7 |
| 27 | Use of antibiotics to treat common cold | 74.5 |
| 28 | Vaccination | 74.5 |
| Overall % correct—median (IQR) = 72.7 (63.6, 81.8) |