1. Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of Latin American healthcare workers relating to antibiotic stewardship and antibiotic use: a cross-sectional multi-country study.
- Author
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Fabre V, Cosgrove SE, Lessa FC, Patel TS, Reyes-Morales G, Aleman WR, Alvarez AA, Aquiles B, Arauz AB, Arguello F, Barberis MF, Barcan L, Bernachea MP, Bernan ML, Buitrago C, Del Carmen Bangher M, Castañeda X, Colque AM, Canton A, Contreras R, Correa S, Campero GC, Espinola L, Esquivel C, Ezcurra C, Falleroni LA, Fernandez J, Ferrari S, Frassone N, Cruz CG, Garzón MI, Quintero CHG, Gonzalez JA, Guaymas L, Guerrero-Toapanta F, Lambert S, Laplume D, Lazarte PR, Lemir CG, Lopez A, Lopez IL, Maldonado H, Martinez G, Maurizi DM, Melgar M, Mesplet F, Pertuz CM, Moreno C, Moya GL, Nuccetelli Y, Núñez G, Osuna C, Palacio B, Pellice F, Raffo C, Choto FR, Ricoy G, Rodriguez V, Romero F, Romero JJ, Russo ME, Sadino G, Sandoval N, Silva MG, Urueña AM, Reyes LV, Videla H, Valle M, Perez SVA, Vergara-Samur H, Villamandos S, Villarreal O, Viteri A, Warley E, and Quiros RE
- Subjects
- Humans, Cross-Sectional Studies, Latin America, Female, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Adult, Middle Aged, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use, Health Personnel psychology, Attitude of Health Personnel
- Abstract
Background: The burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Latin America is high. Little is known about healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of antimicrobial stewardship (AS), AMR, and antibiotic use (AU) in the region., Methods: HCWs from 42 hospitals from 5 Latin American countries were invited to take an electronic, voluntary, anonymous survey regarding knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of AS, AMR, and AU between March-April 2023., Findings: Overall, 996 HCWs completed the survey (52% physicians, 32% nurses, 11% pharmacists, 3% microbiologists, and 2% "other"). More than 90% of respondents indicated optimizing AU was a priority at their healthcare facility (HCF), 69% stated the importance of AS was communicated at their HCF, and 23% were unfamiliar with the term "antibiotic stewardship". Most (> 95%) respondents acknowledged that appropriate AU can reduce AMR; however, few thought AU (< 30%) or AMR (< 50%) were a problem in their HCF. Lack of access to antibiogram and to locally endorsed guidelines was reported by 51% and 34% of HCWs, respectively. Among prescribers, 53% did not consider non-physicians' opinions to make antibiotic-related decisions, 22% reported not receiving education on how to select antibiotics based on culture results and 60% stated patients and families influence their antibiotic decisions., Conclusions: Although HCWs perceived improving AU as a priority, they did not perceive AU or AMR as a problem in their HCF. AS opportunities include improved access to guidelines, access to AMR/AU data, teamwork, and education on AS for HCWs and patients and families., (© 2024. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2024
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