Aminata Tigiedankay Koroma
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Patrick Maada Bundu
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Musa Sheriff
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Brima Baryon
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Brima Gamaga
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Foday Sillah
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Munis Lebbie
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Daniel Ngobeh
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Matilda Mattu Moiwo
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Jefery Morrison
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Abu Dim Din Sesay
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Samba Kamara
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Mustapha Jalloh
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Haurace Nyandemoh
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Momoh Massaquoi
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Kadijatu Nabie Kamara
African Field Epidemiology Network, Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Joseph Sam Kanu
African Field Epidemiology Network, Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Department of Community Health, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
James Sylvester Squire
African Field Epidemiology Network, Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Department of Community Health, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Jean Leonard Hakizimana
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone; National Disease Surveillance Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Adel Hussein Elduma
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone; National Disease Surveillance Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Gebrekrstos Negash Gebru
Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone; National Disease Surveillance Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Abstract
Introduction: globally, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) kills around 1.27 million 700,000 people each year. In Sierra Leone, there is limited information on antibiotic use among healthcare workers (HCWs). We assessed antibiotic prescribing practices and associated factors among HCWs in Sierra Leone.
Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional survey among HCWs. We collected data using a questionnaire containing a Likert scale for antibiotic prescribing practices. We categorized prescribing practices into good and poor practices. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) to identify risk factors.
Results: out of 337 (100%) HCWs, 45% scored good practice. Out of the total, 131 (39%) of HCWS considered fever as an indication of antibiotic resistance and 280 (83%) HCWs prescribed antibiotics without performing microbiological tests and 114 (34%) prescribed a shorter course of antibiotics. Factors associated with good practice were being a doctor (aOR=1.95; CI:1.07, 3.56), the internet as a source of information (aOR=2.00; CI: 1.10, 3.66), having a high perception that AMR is a problem in the health-facility (aOR=1.80; CI:1.01, 3.23) and there is a connection between one´s prescription and AMR (aOR=2.15; CI:1.07, 4.32).
Conclusion: this study identified a low level of good practice toward antibiotic prescription. We initiated health education campaigns and recommended continuous professional development programs on antibiotic use.
