Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus
Introduction: The global healthcare system faced unparalleled challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, potentially reshaping antibiotic usage trends. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and observations of community pharmacists concerning antibiotic u...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
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| Online Access: | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/19595 |
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| author | Mümtaz Güran Barış Ali Ömer Ekin Ceylanlı Muharrem İyican Laden Tepretmez Dilara Kuşi İpek Ü Aktürk |
| author_facet | Mümtaz Güran Barış Ali Ömer Ekin Ceylanlı Muharrem İyican Laden Tepretmez Dilara Kuşi İpek Ü Aktürk |
| author_sort | Mümtaz Güran |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction: The global healthcare system faced unparalleled challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, potentially reshaping antibiotic usage trends. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and observations of community pharmacists concerning antibiotic utilization during and after the pandemic; and offer crucial insights into its impact on antibiotic usage patterns and infection dynamics.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 162 community pharmacists in Northern Cyprus. Data were gathered via a structured survey, including pharmacist demographics, antibiotic knowledge, perceptions of antibiotic resistance, and observations on antibiotic misuse during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analyzed by biostatistical methods.
Results: Over 90% of pharmacists demonstrated high awareness of antibiotic overuse and resistance. The average antibiotic use knowledge score was 5.09/7. The majority expressed interest in further education (85.2%) and participation in campaigns (96.9%) to promote appropriate antibiotic use. Notably, 87.7% of participants observed an increase in respiratory infections post pandemic, and 45.7% reported administering more antibiotics, reflecting heightened demand. Furthermore, 63.6% noted increased demand for unprescribed antibiotics, while 45.7% expressed concerns about potential neglect of the antibiotic resistance issue as a consequence of the pandemic.
Conclusions: The study highlights critical changes in antibiotic dispensing patterns among community pharmacists during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results here underscore the pivotal role of pharmacists in antibiotic stewardship, advocating for ongoing education, and stricter prescription regulations to optimize antibiotic use and combat resistance.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-84806476efa642a1b99761d2822b8ab7 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1972-2680 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| spelling | doaj-art-84806476efa642a1b99761d2822b8ab72025-08-20T02:16:17ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802024-12-011812.110.3855/jidc.19595Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of CyprusMümtaz Güran0Barış Ali Ömer1Ekin Ceylanlı2Muharrem İyican3Laden Tepretmez4Dilara Kuşi5İpek Ü Aktürk6Faculty of Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, N. Cyprus via Mersin 10, TurkeyFaculty of Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, N. Cyprus via Mersin 10, TurkeyFaculty of Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, N. Cyprus via Mersin 10, TurkeyFaculty of Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, N. Cyprus via Mersin 10, TurkeyFaculty of Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, N. Cyprus via Mersin 10, TurkeyFaculty of Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, N. Cyprus via Mersin 10, TurkeyFaculty of Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, N. Cyprus via Mersin 10, Turkey Introduction: The global healthcare system faced unparalleled challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, potentially reshaping antibiotic usage trends. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and observations of community pharmacists concerning antibiotic utilization during and after the pandemic; and offer crucial insights into its impact on antibiotic usage patterns and infection dynamics. Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 162 community pharmacists in Northern Cyprus. Data were gathered via a structured survey, including pharmacist demographics, antibiotic knowledge, perceptions of antibiotic resistance, and observations on antibiotic misuse during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analyzed by biostatistical methods. Results: Over 90% of pharmacists demonstrated high awareness of antibiotic overuse and resistance. The average antibiotic use knowledge score was 5.09/7. The majority expressed interest in further education (85.2%) and participation in campaigns (96.9%) to promote appropriate antibiotic use. Notably, 87.7% of participants observed an increase in respiratory infections post pandemic, and 45.7% reported administering more antibiotics, reflecting heightened demand. Furthermore, 63.6% noted increased demand for unprescribed antibiotics, while 45.7% expressed concerns about potential neglect of the antibiotic resistance issue as a consequence of the pandemic. Conclusions: The study highlights critical changes in antibiotic dispensing patterns among community pharmacists during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results here underscore the pivotal role of pharmacists in antibiotic stewardship, advocating for ongoing education, and stricter prescription regulations to optimize antibiotic use and combat resistance. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/19595antibioticcommunity pharmacistsCOVID-19pandemicantibiotic resistance |
| spellingShingle | Mümtaz Güran Barış Ali Ömer Ekin Ceylanlı Muharrem İyican Laden Tepretmez Dilara Kuşi İpek Ü Aktürk Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus Journal of Infection in Developing Countries antibiotic community pharmacists COVID-19 pandemic antibiotic resistance |
| title | Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus |
| title_full | Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus |
| title_fullStr | Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus |
| title_short | Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus |
| title_sort | insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the covid 19 pandemic in the northern region of cyprus |
| topic | antibiotic community pharmacists COVID-19 pandemic antibiotic resistance |
| url | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/19595 |
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