Prescription of antibiotics as a source of emerging antibiotic resistance: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical staff in the Dassa-Glazoué and Savalou-Bantè's health zones (Benin, West Africa)

Abstract

Background and Aim: Antibiotics have been some great effective molecules against infections since their discovery. The excessive use and misuse of antibiotics have resulted in a selection of antibiotic-resistant strains. Among the reasons involved, the prescription of antibiotics can be important. The present study aimed to contribute to the reduction of antibiotic resistance due to the misuse of antibiotics. Materials and Methods: A knowledge, attitude, and practice survey of health professionals from Savalou-Bante (230) and Dassa-Glazoué (100) health zones was performed about the prescription of antibiotics. Results: About 53% of respondents in the health zone of Savalou-Bantè were assistant nursing and only 3% of them were specialized physicians. The other respondents were physicians (3%), midwives (10%), and nurses (31%). Forty-five percent of the respondents were nurses and only 5% of them were specialized physicians in Savalou-Bantè. However, all these health professionals prescribe antibiotics. The first-line antibiotics prescribed were penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, aminoglycosides, and quinolones. These health professionals usually have no knowledge of the mechanism of action of these antibiotics. The antibiotics prescribed mostly were for ear, nose, and throat and upper respiratory infections (80% in Dassa-Glazoué and 79% in Savalou-Bantè). The most commonly used dosage form was tablets (58%) in the health zone of Savalou-Bantè and the injectable form in the sanitary zone of Dassa-Glazouè. Conclusion: It is important to implement a policy of rational use of antibiotics to reduce the excessive and misuse of antibiotics and prevent antibiotic resistance.

Education and Awareness on Antimicrobial Resistance in the WHO African Region: A Systematic Review

“…Our review findings therefore corroborate what was previously noted in a scoping review which documented global knowledge gaps on AMR in human health including in AMR burden and drivers as well as awareness and education, and with the African region leading the gap chart [98]. Even in studies where AMR knowledge levels were reported to be high among human healthcare professionals, high proportions neither know the extent of AMR nor its effect that AMR could lead to treatment failure [11,12]. In addition, some HCWs neither saw AMR as a problem in their local HCF nor appreciated its impact on their daily routine practice, with such knowledge dearth even documented among physicians in tertiary HCFs [15,37,43], with attendant serious consequences on healthcare cost and patient outcomes.…”

“…The majority of the country surveys were among human healthcare practitioners (32, 34.8%) and undergraduate healthcare students (21, 22.8%). The country surveys also involved general public/community dwellers (11), animal producers/farmers (10), patients (5), veterinary drug retailers and dispensers (4), community drug retailers (2), and veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals (2). Three other studies surveyed more than one group of respondents.…”

Antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes in hospital effluents and streams in Benin

“…These results also support the fact that there is a correlation between the presence of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes (Di Cesare et al, 2016). Furthermore, it noted a low presence of bla TEM-1 gene, while it is known that penicillin and cephalosporins are widely used in the country, as indicated by the studies of Dougnon et al (2020). It would therefore be interesting to update the scientific data on the consumption of antibiotic molecules in Benin.…”

A Temporal Study on Incidence of Bovine Mastitis in Haryana, India

“…This is particularly crucial when antibiotics are administered to dairy animals as a form of dry cow therapy without identifying the bacteria responsible for the disease and its antimicrobial sensitivity profile. The OIE advises monitoring antibiotic resistance in animals while WHO urges prudent and sensible use of antibiotics in the community as a whole [14].…”