Knowledge and attitudes of patients in underserved communities regarding antibiotic resistance, antibiotic stewardship, and pharmacist involvement in antibiotic prescribing: A regional survey

Arinze Nkemdirim Okere; Anthony Ryan Pinto; Sandra Suther

doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxae341

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Knowledge and attitudes of patients in underserved communities regarding antibiotic resistance, antibiotic stewardship, and pharmacist involvement in antibiotic prescribing: A regional survey

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Knowledge and attitudes of patients in underserved communities regarding antibiotic resistance, antibiotic stewardship, and pharmacist involvement in antibiotic prescribing: A regional survey

Arinze Nkemdirim Okere, Anthony Ryan Pinto and Sandra Suther

American journal of health-system pharmacy, Vol.82(Suppl 2), pp.S2900-S2907

02/20/2025

DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxae341

PMCID: PMC11840438

PMID: 39527071

Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access

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Abstract

Purpose Despite the effectiveness of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) in improving antibiotic prescribing, these are rarely implemented in clinics serving underserved communities. Our objective was to understand patients’ perspectives on the factors that can impact implementation of ASPs and integration of pharmacists in antibiotic prescribing in rural clinics. Methods We conducted a survey using both quantitative questions and an open-ended question. To participate, patients had to receive care from a clinic serving low-income or rural communities and provide verbal consent to be included in the study. We analyzed the quantitative component of the data using descriptive statistics. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between respondents’ knowledge of the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and their attitudes toward ASPs and pharmacist integration in antibiotic prescribing. Results Of the 189 respondents who completed a survey, 51.3% were female and 51.3% were Caucasian. In our analysis, over 60% of patients reported knowing their prescribed antibiotics’ names, while less than 30% possessed adequate knowledge of the indication and duration of the prescribed antibiotics. There was a positive correlation between knowledge about antibiotic resistance and being comfortable involving pharmacists in antibiotic prescribing (P < 0.01). Conclusion Many patients supported pharmacist involvement in antibiotic prescribing. Understanding patients’ perceived attitudes will facilitate patient-centered, infrastructure-supported interventions by clinicians to improve antibiotic prescribing in the community.

antibiotic prescribing

antibiotics stewardship program

infectious disease

pharmacists

UIOWA OA Agreement

Details

Title: Subtitle: Knowledge and attitudes of patients in underserved communities regarding antibiotic resistance, antibiotic stewardship, and pharmacist involvement in antibiotic prescribing: A regional survey
Creators: Arinze Nkemdirim Okere - University of Iowa, Pharmacy Practice and Science
Anthony Ryan Pinto - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Sandra Suther - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of health-system pharmacy, Vol.82(Suppl 2), pp.S2900-S2907
DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxae341
PMID: 39527071
PMCID: PMC11840438
NLM abbreviation: Am J Health Syst Pharm
ISSN: 1079-2082
eISSN: 1535-2900
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Language: English
Date published: 02/20/2025
Academic Unit: Pharmacy Practice and Science; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984821675902771

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