Antimicrobial Resistance and Irrational Prescribing: Primary Healthcare Physicians’ Knowledge and Perceptions in Greece

Mary Geitona1, Aikaterini Toska1,2*, Dimitra Latsou1 and Maria Saridi1,2

1Department of Social & Educational Policy, University of Peloponnese, Greece 2General Department of Lamia, University of Thessaly, Greece

^*Correspondance to: Aikaterini Toska 

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Abstract:

Background: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing serious global public health issue in both inpatient and outpatient health care. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate primary health care physicians’ knowledge and perceptions on antimicrobial resistance and irrational prescribing. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in all Primary Healthcare settings (PHC) of the Peloponnese district from May to October 2020. For data collection an updated and adjusted questionnaire was used based on previous Greek studies. Statistical analysis was based on descriptive and inductive statistics. Results: Overall, 306 out of 404 physicians responded to the questionnaire, reaching a 75.8% response rate. The majority (96%) considered antimicrobial resistance as a major public health problem in Greece. Irrational prescribing (95.4%), self-medication (95.4%) and antibiotic administration from pharmacists without a prescription (94.7%) were declared as the most important causes of AMR. Also, diagnostic uncertainty (68.9%) and patient/parent satisfaction (55.4%) were reported as the main causes of irrational prescribing. Physicians’ perception on the causes of AMR and irrational prescribing were related with physicians’ demographic and occupational characteristics (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Primary healthcare physicians in Greece seem to recognize AMR as a major health threat and irrational prescribing among the most significant causes. Therapeutic protocols/ guidelines and continuing education are illustrated as the measures needed for the AMR control to decrease diagnostic uncertainty and improve prescribing practices.

Keywords:

Antibiotics; Antimicrobial resistance; Irrational prescribing; Primary health care; Physicians

Cite the Article:

Geitona M, Toska A, Latsou D, Saridi M. Antimicrobial Resistance and Irrational Prescribing: Primary Healthcare Physicians’ Knowledge and Perceptions in Greece. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2022; 7: 2191..