Publication: Antibiotic resistance during covid-19 pandemic and perspective of healthcare providers towards antibiotic resistance: a mixed-method study
Date
2024-02
Authors
Sulayyim, Hadi Jaber Al
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Abstract
During the Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there was an overuse of antibiotics in hospitals. The improper use of antibiotics during COVID-19 has increased the antibiotic resistance (AR), which was reported by multiple studies. The main objective of this study was to study the AR during COVID-19 and perspective of healthcare providers towards AR. This study employed a mixed method design throughout two phases. Phase Ⅰ study (ⅰ): A retrospective cross-sectional study was employed to identify patients who had positive AR bacteria before, during and after COVID-19 as well as the bacterial isolates; Phase Ⅰ study (ⅱ): A cross sectional design was employed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of healthcare worker (HCWs) in Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA); Phase Ⅱ study: A qualitative multi-centre study was carried out in the KSA to explore the experience of health commissioners toward AR during COVID-19. Results of Phase Ⅰ study (ⅰ) showed the prevalence of Pan Drug Resistance (PDR) during COVID-19 pandemic (85.7%) was higher as compared to the time before (0%) and after (14.3%), p= 0.001. S. aureus showed a negligible resistance after pandemic, while the resistance Gramnegative bacteria decreased during and after pandemic compared to the time before. Results of Phase Ⅰ study (ⅱ) revealed poor knowledge, negative attitude and poor practice of HCWs. The significantly associated factors with good knowledge were nationality, cadre, qualification, and working place. Positive attitude was significantly associated with cadre, qualification, and working place. Good practice was significantly associated with gender, cadre, qualification, and working place. In Phase Ⅱ, seven themes emerged from data. Therefore, despite the AR increased globally during COVID-19 pandemic, it dropped gradually in Najran region, KSA. Knowledge, attitude and practice of HCWs in Najran, KSA regarding AR during pandemic need improvement, whereas healthcare commissioners showed scientific and up to date knowledge about the AR. Antibiotics’ prescription should be strictly implemented, relying on the antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) and guidelines from the world health organization (WHO) or ministry of health (MOH). Implementation of effective educational and training programs are urgently needed. Findings of this study could be used to inform policy and practice for governmental HCWs and public to reduce the impact of pandemics on the AR.