An investigation of antimicrobial usage patterns by small animal veterinarians in South Africa

Chipangura, John Kudakwashe; Eagar, Hayley; Kgoete, Marcia; Abernethy, D.A.; Naidoo, Vinny

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.11.017

Cited by 28 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The 38 veterinarians from Attica who completed the questionnaire represent approximately 10% of the population of small animal practitioners in the area of Attica (source: HVA). This sample size is similar to that of other early studies conducted elsewhere [15,16]. Participation was encouraging (response rate: 69%) and extending the study to the rest of Greece should be the next step, producing a more representative set of results for the whole country.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

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Antimicrobial practices among small animal veterinarians in Greece: a survey

Valiakos

Pavlidou

Zafeiridis

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background The inappropriate use of antibiotics is a major issue in clinical practice in Greece with serious implications for public health and animal health. The purpose of the present study was to provide a first insight into the use of antibiotics by small animal practitioners in Greece and assess their compliance with general rules for the rational use of antibiotics. This is the first survey of its kind in Greece. Methods A questionnaire was designed to collect basic information on the use of antibiotics by pet veterinarians. The questionnaire was sent to a total of 70 veterinarians mainly operating in the region of Attica, a region that comprises almost 50% of the Greek population and where veterinarians are engaged solely in small animal practice. The questionnaire consisted of 37 closed questions dealing with various aspects on the use of antibiotics. Results The majority of respondents’ report cases where the pet owner initiated antibiotic treatment without veterinary prescription. Almost every clinician reported owner-compliance challenges. Regarding microbiological analysis, 73% of respondents prefer to adopt the empirical treatment while waiting the laboratory results or use antibiogram only when the treatment is unsuccessful. Eighty-eight per cent declared to use antimicrobials postoperatively in clean surgical procedures. Different types of antimicrobials and treatment durations than the ones proposed by guidelines on rational use of antibiotics are preferred for various organ systems e.g. in urinary and gastrointestinal infections. Conclusions Our findings suggest the need for guidelines on antibiotic use in small animal practice in Greece, and the deployment of systematic surveillance on antimicrobials use and resistance to inform the initial choice of antibiotics upon local antimicrobial resistance profiles. Targeting the other end of the problem, pet owners, our findings indicate the need to educate them on the rational use of antibiotics and, critically, stop antibiotic availability without prescription.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

“…The questionnaire was written by members of the research team and is consistent with questionnaires used in similar studies in other countries, to allow comparison of the results [15,16]. It consists of 37 closed questions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antimicrobial practices among small animal veterinarians in Greece: a survey

Valiakos

Pavlidou

Zafeiridis

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…The identification of these facilitators suggests that the focus for behavioural change cannot be at the level of individual veterinary surgeons alone. Studies describing prescribing patterns of antimicrobial prescribing in small animal veterinary surgeon practice in the UK [1, 15, 18] and internationally [19] highlight that more antimicrobial prescribing guidelines, which encourage appropriate and more limited use, could be helpful and could act as a more tacit form of regulation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the behavioural drivers of veterinary surgeon antibiotic prescribing: a qualitative study of companion animal veterinary surgeons in the UK

et al. 2018

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BackgroundMulti-drug resistant bacteria are an increasing concern in both human and veterinary medicine. Inappropriate prescribing and use of antibiotics within veterinary medicine may be a contributory factor to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The ‘One Health’ Initiative aims to work across species and environments to reduce AMR, however; little is currently known about the factors which influence antibiotic prescribing among veterinary surgeons in companion animal practice.This paper reports on qualitative data analysis of interviews with veterinary surgeons whose practice partially or wholly focuses on companion animals (N = 16). The objective of the research was to explore the drivers of companion animal veterinary surgeons’ antibiotic prescribing behaviours. The veterinary surgeons interviewed were all practising within the UK (England (n = 4), Scotland (n = 11), Northern Ireland (n = 1)). A behavioural thematic analysis of the data was undertaken, which identified barriers and facilitators to specific prescribing-related behaviours.ResultsFive components of prescribing behaviours were identified: 1) confirming clinical need for antibiotics; 2) responding to clients; 3) confirming diagnosis; 4) determining dose, duration and type of antibiotic; and 5) preventing infection around surgery (with attendant appropriate and inappropriate antibiotic prescribing behaviours). Barriers to appropriate prescribing identified include: business, diagnostic, fear, habitual practice and pharmaceutical factors. Facilitators include: AMR awareness, infection prevention, professional learning and regulation and government factors.ConclusionThis paper uses a behavioural lens to examine drivers which are an influence on veterinary surgeons’ prescribing behaviours. The paper contributes new understandings about factors which influence antibiotic prescribing behaviours among companion animal veterinary surgeons. This analysis provides evidence to inform future interventions, which are focused on changing prescribing behaviours, in order to address the pressing public health concern of AMR.

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“…This centralized repository of clinical records gives a unique opportunity to examine records that are otherwise held in individual clinics. VetCompass Australia currently has 181 participating practices representing 5.6% of 3,222 of the Australian veterinary clinics [17,18] There have been several studies from VetCompass UK covering antimicrobial usage patterns, disease prevalence, and causes of mortality [19][20][21][22][23][24]. Similarly, the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) is another centralized repository of veterinary records that has also reported on antimicrobial usage patterns [25,26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%