Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of community pharmacists regarding antibiotic use and resistance: a cross-sectional study from the United Arab Emirates.

ABSTRACT

One of the main contributing factors of antibiotic resistance is the dispensing of antibiotics without prescription. This study investigated community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in relation to antibiotic dispensing and resistance in United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional survey was conducted using validated questionnaire. (40.1%) had an overall positive KAP score. A total of (88%) respondents were aware of the illegality of dispensing antibiotics without a prescription. Only (31%) had good knowledge regarding amoxicillin dosage for upper respiratory tract infection. The primary misconduct found numerous pharmacists prescribing antibiotics without a prescription, even though they were aware that this should never be done. Pharmacists who attended events focused on antibiotic use and resistance were more likely to have good knowledge about antibiotics (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) 1.673; 95%CI 1.029-2.719; p = 0.038), more likely to have positive attitude (AOR 1.889; 95%CI 1.133-3.149; p = 0.015), and more likely to have good practice (AOR 3.182; 95%CI 1.541-6.572; p = 0.002).