Knowledge, attitudes and practice survey about antimicrobial resistance and prescribing among physicians in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Eastern India

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide problem. Reduction in antimicrobial use is necessary to limit this problem. This can be addressed through changes in prescribing behaviour. Information about the driving forces behind antimicrobial prescription can be obtained by KAP (knowledge, attitudes and practice) surveys. Methods: A self-administered 37 item questionnaire was distributed among doctors of different departments of College of Medicine & JNM Hospital, Kalyani. It focused on their awareness about the current status of antimicrobial resistance, sources of information and training about use of Antimicrobials, confidence, factors influencing decisions and appropriateness of potential interventions. Results: All doctors agreed that antimicrobial resistance is a problem in India and also in their daily practice. Doctors were lacking on the aspect of regular educational activities regarding appropriate use of antimicrobials, which they felt extremely important. Also many of them were unaware about the hospital formularies, current susceptibility pattern of common pathogens. Majority said that a local guideline would be more useful than the international one. Conclusions: This survey identified topics to address in the containment of antimicrobials resistance like dissemination of information about local antimicrobial resistance rates, the revision and dissemination of local guidelines, and emphasization on regular educational activities among physicians.