Exploring Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of the Malawian rural communities towards antimicrobial use and resistance prevention
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Date
2020-10-16
Authors
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of study: Descriptive quantitative study using interview guide
Problem statement: There is much that is not known about the level of knowledge of the
communities on proper antibiotic use, how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, how
human behavior as well as antibacterial usage at home influences anti-bacterial resistance and
how resistant microbes’ spreads. A lot of people take antibiotics without prescriptions from
the hospital prescribers and choose to stop the medications whenever they feel a relief from
the symptoms.
Research Aim: The aim of this project is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of
rural communities towards anti –bacterial use and resistance prevention.
The objectives of this study are;
To describe the understanding of the concept anti-microbial resistance by the rural
community.
To assess if clients are given information on how to take the antibiotics when they
have been prescribed.
To investigate the community’s adherence to taking the prescribed antimicrobial
agents.
To determine the community’s common sources of antimicrobials.
To assess availability of anti bacterial resistance campaign in the community
Methodology:
The study will be conducted in Mangochi in the villages of T/A Namkumba. A sample
population of 350 participants will be recruited based on whether the participant took
antibiotics in the past six months.
Data will be entered using CSPRO and will be analyzed using SPSS version 20. Thereafter
the data will be presented and disseminated through presentation in different forums as well
as through publishing. Expected findings and dissemination of results
This study will reveal the gap in the knowledge that the Namkumba community has in terms
of antibiotic use and resistance prevention. In addition, it will also reveal their attitude and
the current practices of this community as far as antimicrobial use is concerned.
This proposal will end up into a thesis as a fulfillment of the Masters degree in antimicrobial
stewardship. Results of this study will be presented at the District level, National level,
coordinated by Ministry of Health, and at the College of Medicine Research Dissemination
Conference as well as lodged with the COMREC. Finally, the paper will be prepared and
submitted to peer review journals for publication.
Possible Constraints
Interviewing people at the facility during their visit might be a challenge since some might be
rushing to their business places and some might not be willing to participate because they are
not feeling well. In addition, meeting participants at their homes might be a challenge since
some of the people are business oriented and spend most of their time at their business places.
Therefore, for those that I will not be able to administer the interview guide on the same day,
i would firstly contact them at the health facility and get the contact details so that can easily
book an appointment with them for the interview guide on another day.