RESEARCH ARTICLE: Knowledge and self-reported confidence in antimicrobial stewardship programme among final year pharmacy undergraduate students in Malaysia and Nigeria

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2021.211.298305

Keywords:

Antibiotic resistance, Antimicrobial stewardship, Antimicrobial therapy, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pharmacy students

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the knowledge and self-reported confidence of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) among pharmacy students in Malaysia and Nigeria.  

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among final year undergraduate pharmacy students in a university from both Nigeria and Malaysia using a 59-item online questionnaire.   

Results: A total of 150 final year undergraduate pharmacy students completed the questionnaire. Exposure to infectious diseases clerkship was higher among the Malaysian students (78.2% versus 25.4%; p < 0.001). Overall, the knowledge score for antibiotic resistance and AMS were comparable (6.2 ± 1.5 and 3.6 ± 1.2, respectively versus 5.9 ± 1.6 and 3.3 ± 1.3). The knowledge of antibiotic therapy was higher among the Malaysian students (5.4 ± 1.8 versus 4.2 ± 1.8; p < 0.001) while self-reported confidence to participate in AMS was higher among the Nigerian students (median 48.0, IQR 26 – 75 versus median 36.5, IQR 15 – 75; p < 0.001).   

Conclusions: Pharmacy students in Malaysia and Nigeria have appreciable knowledge of antibiotic resistance, antibiotic therapy and AMS. More training on topics is recommended to improve the skills and competency of future pharmacists to participate in AMS.

Author Biographies

Usman Abubakar, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Discipline Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Abubakar Sha’aban, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia & Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria

Discipline Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Mustapha Mohammed, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia & Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria

Discipline Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Haseeb Tariq Muhammad, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Discipline Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Discipline Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Advanced Medical and Dental Institute

Omalhassan Amir, International University of Africa, Sudan

Department of Clinical Pharmacy

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Published

07-08-2021

How to Cite

Abubakar, U., Sha’aban, A., Mohammed, M., Muhammad, H. T., Syed Sulaiman, S. A., & Amir, O. (2021). RESEARCH ARTICLE: Knowledge and self-reported confidence in antimicrobial stewardship programme among final year pharmacy undergraduate students in Malaysia and Nigeria. Pharmacy Education, 21, p. 298–305. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2021.211.298305

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Research Article