Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Healthcare Providers on Antibiotics Use and Resistance in Hospital Settings in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

The overall aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare providers regarding antibiotic therapy and bacterial resistance. Knowledge of antibiotic therapy was low (4.5/11 points). One hundred and eighteen respondents (27.5%) had taken part in at least one training course on rational antibiotic prescribing. One hundred seventy-five respondents (40.9%) took the results of the antibiogram into account when adapting antibiotic therapy when the results were available. There are deficiencies in antibiotic prescribing in Kinshasa/DRC. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is the main cause of antibiotic resistance worldwide. At the same time, the practice of prescribing antibiotics in Africa is not as well documented. The overall aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare providers regarding antibiotic therapy and bacterial resistance. The KAP interview study was conducted from 2 December 2019 to 29 February 2020, among healthcare providers, in Kinshasa/DRC in 21 HZs including 25 General Reference Hospitals and the "Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa". Out of a sample of 430, with a participation rate of 99.6%. Knowledge of antibiotic therapy was low (mean score 4.5/11 points). As shown by the results on the treatment to be given in the event of upper respiratory tract infection (9.3%), then whether or not to reduce the dose of antibiotic in the event of renal failure (14.0%) and recognition of the local rate of resistance of Klebsiella spp. to ceftriaxone (12.6%). One hundred and eighteen respondents (27.5%) had taken part in at least one training course on rational antibiotic prescribing. One hundred seventy-five respondents (40.9%) took the results of the antibiogram into account when adapting antibiotic therapy when the results were available. There are deficiencies in antibiotic prescribing in Kinshasa/DRC. The availability and use of microbiology services and training must be emphasized.