Experiences and views of healthcare professionals on the prescription of antibiotics in Eastern Uganda: A qualitative study
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of global antimicrobial resistance
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the experiences and views of healthcare professionals on
antibiotic prescription in Eastern Uganda.
Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Participants
included 16 healthcare professionals from Mbale and Soroti Regional Referral Hospitals. Additionally, two
workshops were held (one in each hospital) with a total of 56 healthcare professionals to discuss the
findings. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Results: Healthcare professionals’ prescriptions are influenced by (i) healthcare workers’ perceptions and
practices, (ii) patients’ perceptions and beliefs, and (iii) contextual factors. Healthcare workers’
prescriptions depend on the presence of bacterial infection and the severity of the condition, the
availability and cost of medication, previous experience with antibiotic prescribing, patient character-
istics, and trial and error. They also have limited knowledge and share little information on the use of
antibiotics with patients. Patient factors included demand for a particular antibiotic, inability to afford
expensive drugs, and limited knowledge about antibiotic use and resistance. Contextual factors that
contributed to antibiotic prescribing were an overburdened healthcare system, the influence of
pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies, the use of (treatment) guidelines, and difficulties with
laboratory services.
Conclusion: This study showed that healthcare professionals are aware of the problem of antibiotic
resistance but do not feel ownership of the problem. Instead, they rather blame the overburdened
system, local drug shops, pharmacies, drug representatives and patients. There is a need for a
multisectoral and holistic approach toward
fighting antibiotic resistance.
Description
Keywords
Antibiotic prescribing, Healthcare professionals, Antimicrobial resistance, Perceptions, Qualitative study
Citation
Kagoya, E. K., Van Royen, K., Waako, P., Van Royen, P., Iramiot, J. S., Obakiro, S. B., ... & Anthierens, S. (2021). Experiences and views of healthcare professionals on the prescription of antibiotics in Eastern Uganda: A qualitative study. Journal of global antimicrobial resistance, 25, 66-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jgar.2021.02.019