Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF COMMUNITY PHARMACIST ABOUT ANTIBIOTICS IN KALABURAGI

Rini Philip*, Ruchika Reddy, Raju Ahmed, Sachin Sanal and Vishwanath M. Jeevangi

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Abstract

Background: Pharmacists being the last contact to the patient, before taking antibiotics, thus can control the irrational use of medicines. Comprehensive and relevant education and training on the use of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is essential. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of community pharmacist (CP) regarding antibiotics in Kalaburagi. Objectives: To assess the KAP on antibiotics among CPs, to improve awareness of the legal requirements to dispense antibiotics and to improve awareness and understanding of AMR. Materials and Methods: A Prospective cross sectional study was conducted among selected CPs in Kalaburagi using a self-administered questionnaire. After a gap of 10 days followed by education post test scores were taken. Statistical data was analyzed by IBM SPSS 20.0 version software. Results: In this male pharmacist were 90% and females were 10%, maximum number pharmacist belongs to age group 31-40 years. The mean KAP scores of CPs in post-test was significantly more as compare to pre-test, the posttest KAP was increased by 27%, 27%and 29% respectively and knowledge score to improve awareness of the legal requirements to dispense antibiotics, awareness and understanding of AMR was significantly increased by 33% and 20.6% respectively. Conclusion: Even though the CPs showed good KAP towards antibiotics the interventions for the further improvement tailored to target the gaps underlined in this study. As it is conducted within 120 pharmacists further large scale studies are necessary to validate the findings of the present study by including a greater number of CPs.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Community Pharmacist, Dispensing Practice, Cross-sectional study.