Doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use: a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in Nigeria
Abstract Background Antibiotic misuse significantly contributes to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Evaluating doctors’ prescribing practices is crucial for improving antibiotic stewardship and minimizing resistance. Objective This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and pract...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13180-z |
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| author | Marvelous E. Akhigbe Sulymon A. Saka Osazuwa Ighodaro Mohamed A. Ghouse Obiajulum N. Emekolom Obianujunwa V. Okoro |
| author_facet | Marvelous E. Akhigbe Sulymon A. Saka Osazuwa Ighodaro Mohamed A. Ghouse Obiajulum N. Emekolom Obianujunwa V. Okoro |
| author_sort | Marvelous E. Akhigbe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Antibiotic misuse significantly contributes to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Evaluating doctors’ prescribing practices is crucial for improving antibiotic stewardship and minimizing resistance. Objective This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of doctors concerning antibiotic prescribing and to identify factors influencing their prescribing behaviours at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to August 2024 among 205 doctors selected randomly from five department. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results This study included 205 doctors, with mean age of 31.5 years. Most of the participants were males (60.5%), Christians (84.4%) and from Esan ethnic group. The survey revealed that 142 (69.3%) of the participants had good knowledge of antibiotic prescribing, and 185 (90.2%) and 189 (92.2%) of the clinicians reported adhering to hospital and international guidelines, respectively. Despite this, only 73 (35.6%) had attended recent training on antibiotic use. Influencing factors included poor-quality antibiotics 113 (55.1%) and increased clinical experience 99 (48.3%). Although 99 (48.3%) of the clinicians felt confident in their prescribing abilities, prescription alterations by senior colleagues were noted. Conclusion Doctors at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital generally possess good knowledge and adherence to antibiotic guidelines. However, insufficient training and poor-quality antibiotics are barriers to optimal prescribing practices. Enhancing continuous education and improving drug quality are essential to advancing antibiotic stewardship and combating resistance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-64342da31ff742bca9d87974c7eb4c5c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-64342da31ff742bca9d87974c7eb4c5c2025-08-20T03:42:24ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-08-012511810.1186/s12913-025-13180-zDoctors’ knowledge, attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use: a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in NigeriaMarvelous E. Akhigbe0Sulymon A. Saka1Osazuwa Ighodaro2Mohamed A. Ghouse3Obiajulum N. Emekolom4Obianujunwa V. Okoro5Enugu State University Teaching HospitalIrrua Specialist Teaching HospitalBasildon University HospitalBasildon University HospitalIrrua Specialist Teaching HospitalEnugu State University Teaching HospitalAbstract Background Antibiotic misuse significantly contributes to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Evaluating doctors’ prescribing practices is crucial for improving antibiotic stewardship and minimizing resistance. Objective This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of doctors concerning antibiotic prescribing and to identify factors influencing their prescribing behaviours at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to August 2024 among 205 doctors selected randomly from five department. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results This study included 205 doctors, with mean age of 31.5 years. Most of the participants were males (60.5%), Christians (84.4%) and from Esan ethnic group. The survey revealed that 142 (69.3%) of the participants had good knowledge of antibiotic prescribing, and 185 (90.2%) and 189 (92.2%) of the clinicians reported adhering to hospital and international guidelines, respectively. Despite this, only 73 (35.6%) had attended recent training on antibiotic use. Influencing factors included poor-quality antibiotics 113 (55.1%) and increased clinical experience 99 (48.3%). Although 99 (48.3%) of the clinicians felt confident in their prescribing abilities, prescription alterations by senior colleagues were noted. Conclusion Doctors at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital generally possess good knowledge and adherence to antibiotic guidelines. However, insufficient training and poor-quality antibiotics are barriers to optimal prescribing practices. Enhancing continuous education and improving drug quality are essential to advancing antibiotic stewardship and combating resistance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13180-zAntibioticsAntimicrobial resistanceClinical outcomeDrug efficacyAntibiotic stewardshipPathogen susceptibility |
| spellingShingle | Marvelous E. Akhigbe Sulymon A. Saka Osazuwa Ighodaro Mohamed A. Ghouse Obiajulum N. Emekolom Obianujunwa V. Okoro Doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use: a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in Nigeria BMC Health Services Research Antibiotics Antimicrobial resistance Clinical outcome Drug efficacy Antibiotic stewardship Pathogen susceptibility |
| title | Doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use: a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in Nigeria |
| title_full | Doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use: a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use: a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use: a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in Nigeria |
| title_short | Doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use: a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in Nigeria |
| title_sort | doctors knowledge attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in nigeria |
| topic | Antibiotics Antimicrobial resistance Clinical outcome Drug efficacy Antibiotic stewardship Pathogen susceptibility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13180-z |
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