Background:This study aimed to assess the role of community pharmacists and their perception toward antimicrobial stewardship,in addition to identifying factors influencing their perception and practices in community ...Background:This study aimed to assess the role of community pharmacists and their perception toward antimicrobial stewardship,in addition to identifying factors influencing their perception and practices in community pharmacy.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out among community pharmacists regarding antimicrobial stewardship.Convenience sampling was used to obtain the required sample from a community pharmacy in Baghdad.In total,381 participants have completed the survey.Results:The majority of the participants(85.6%)strongly agreed/agreed that“antimicrobial stewardship programs reduce the problems of antibiotic resistance”;and 85.5%of them strongly agreed/agreed that community pharmacists required adequate training on antibiotics use.In addition,high percent of community pharmacists(88.4%)strongly agreed/agreed that pharmacists have a responsibility to take a prominent role in antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection-control programs in the health system.The total score of perception was significantly influenced by older age groups,postgraduate degrees,and experience of 6–10 years(p<0.001).This study also showed that 65.4%of pharmacists always/often advise patients to continue the full course of antimicrobials,and 64.9%of them reported always/often considering clinical and safety parameters before dispensing antibiotics.The role of pharmacists was significantly influenced by the younger age group,females,higher degree in pharmacy,experience of 3–5 years,and medical complex pharmacy(p<0.001).Conclusion:Community pharmacists have a good perception toward antimicrobial stewardship programs,but their role is still limited.More efforts are needed to design better strategies for antimicrobial stewardship in community pharmacy.展开更多
文摘Background:This study aimed to assess the role of community pharmacists and their perception toward antimicrobial stewardship,in addition to identifying factors influencing their perception and practices in community pharmacy.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out among community pharmacists regarding antimicrobial stewardship.Convenience sampling was used to obtain the required sample from a community pharmacy in Baghdad.In total,381 participants have completed the survey.Results:The majority of the participants(85.6%)strongly agreed/agreed that“antimicrobial stewardship programs reduce the problems of antibiotic resistance”;and 85.5%of them strongly agreed/agreed that community pharmacists required adequate training on antibiotics use.In addition,high percent of community pharmacists(88.4%)strongly agreed/agreed that pharmacists have a responsibility to take a prominent role in antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection-control programs in the health system.The total score of perception was significantly influenced by older age groups,postgraduate degrees,and experience of 6–10 years(p<0.001).This study also showed that 65.4%of pharmacists always/often advise patients to continue the full course of antimicrobials,and 64.9%of them reported always/often considering clinical and safety parameters before dispensing antibiotics.The role of pharmacists was significantly influenced by the younger age group,females,higher degree in pharmacy,experience of 3–5 years,and medical complex pharmacy(p<0.001).Conclusion:Community pharmacists have a good perception toward antimicrobial stewardship programs,but their role is still limited.More efforts are needed to design better strategies for antimicrobial stewardship in community pharmacy.
