Impact of COVID-19 on Antimicrobial Resistance, Stewardship Perceptions, National Action Plan Among Egyptian Clinicians | ||||
| The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | ||||
| Article 112, Volume 95, Issue 1, April 2024, Page 2040-2048 PDF (378.64 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhm.2024.357760 | ||||
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| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health threat, exacerbated by inappropriate antibiotic use and inadequate infection control measures. Understanding clinicians' perceptions and knowledge of AMR and antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate this challenge, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on healthcare practices. Aim: The main aims were to assess Egyptian clinicians' perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge related to antimicrobial resistance, stewardship programs, the national AMR action plan, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on AMR in their clinical setting. Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 305 clinicians across multiple hospitals in Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt in December 2023. The questionnaire covered demographics, experience with AMR and ASPs, perspectives on causes and consequences of AMR, COVID-19's impact on AMR, and awareness of Egypt's National Action Plan on AMR (2018-2022). Results: Most clinicians (95.4%) acknowledged AMR as a global problem, but awareness of ASPs was lower (35.7%). Key perceived factors driving AMR included antibiotic overuse, patient self-medication, lack of microbiology data, and poor infection control. The COVID-19 pandemic was seen to substantially increased total antibiotic prescribing (77.4%), antibiotic shortages (73.4%), and spread of resistant organisms (70.5%). However, 74.1% were unaware of Egypt's National AMR Action Plan. Conclusion: Egyptian clinicians demonstrated good awareness of AMR's threat but lacked knowledge about stewardship efforts like ASPs and national initiatives. Educational programs highlighting prudent antibiotic use, robust surveillance, and policy implementation are needed to combat AMR effectively. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Antimicrobial resistance (AMR); Antibiotic Stewardship; Antibiotic Misuse; Qalyubia; Egypt | ||||
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