Publication: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Adherence among Female Community Health Volunteers Before and After an Educational Intervention
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem in Nepal. Knowledge, attitude, practice
and adherence of female community healthcare volunteers of an intervention area
about antimicrobials before and immediately after a workshop conducted on 24th
February 2024 was measured.
Objective
To compare the knowledge, attitude and practice towards antimicrobial resistance
and antimicrobial adherence among female community health volunteers.
Method
A questionnaire containing four sections related to various themes of antimicrobials
was developed. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice questions were analyzed using two
sample proportion tests. Feedback regarding the educational intervention was also
obtained using a 7-item tool and open responses.
Result
All Female Community Health care Volunteers from Mahalaxmi municipality
participated. Most participants were aged between 41-50 years [19 (42.2%)] and [25
(55.6%)] had working experience greater than 10 years. The scores for statements
antimicrobial resistance are a serious problem worldwide, [84.4% vs 60% (p=0.004)]
and antibiotics are used to inhibit the growth of bacteria improved post- intervention
[100% vs 77.8% (p ≤ 0.001)]. Scores for attitude statements like, taking antibiotics
without consulting a physician [91.1% vs 60% (p ≤ 0.001)], missing a dose or two
of antibiotic treatment contribution to antibiotic resistance, [75.5% vs 46.6% (p =
0.002)] among others improved. The scores for certain practice statements also
improved post-intervention. The median scores for attitude scale, [31 vs 26 (p ≤
0.001)] and practice scale, [31 vs 34 (p = 0.011)] were different before and after the
workshop. Participant feedback on the workshop was positive.
Conclusion
The session was effective in increasing participants’ practice scores and may lead
to more rational use of antimicrobials. The attitude, practice and total scores were
different before and after the workshop.
KEY WORDS
Antimicrobial resistance, Educational intervention, Feedback, Female community
healthcare volunteers
Description
Jha N,1 Kafle S,2 Joshi M,2 Pandey A,3 Koirala P,4 Bhandary S,5 Shankar PR6
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
KIST Medical College, Lalitpur, Nepal
2Department of Pharmacology
3School of Public Health
Patan Academy of Health Sciences
Lalitpur, Nepal
4Public Health Officer
Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal
5Department of Community Health Sciences and School of Public Health
Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
6IMU Centre for Education
IMU University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Keywords
Antimicrobial resistance, Educational intervention, Feedback, Female community healthcare volunteers