Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Challenges of Antimicrobial Stewardship among Nurses at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a strategy aimed at optimizing the use of antimicrobials to fight against resistance. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and challenges of antimicrobial stewardship among nurses at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for this research. The sample size was determined using Cochrane’s formula, with adjustments for a 10% non-response rate, resulting in a final sample of 300. A multistage sampling technique was employed. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire, adapted to assess knowledge, attitudes, challenges, adequacy of education and training and practices of nurses towards antimicrobial stewardship. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 26.0, with significance set at p<0.05. The majority (98.3%) of participants had good knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship. Knowledge of AMS was significantly associated with ethnicity and religion (p<0.05). The majority (94.7%) of respondents also had a good attitude towards antimicrobial stewardship. Males had better attitudes when compared to females (p<0=0.011). Also, Christians were 3.591 times more likely to have a good attitude compared to other religions (p=0.041). Regarding challenges in implementing antimicrobial stewardship, 124 (47.3%) respondents encountered moderate challenges, 71 (23.7%) experienced significant challenges, and 87 (29.0%) encountered minimal challenges. The majority of nurses (63.7%) believed that the level of training and education in AMS was inadequate. Two hundred and fifty-nine (86.3%) nurses demonstrated good practices in AMS. Age, gender and ethnicity were significantly associated with the practice of AMS (p<0.05) and were significant predictors of good practices of AMS among the nurses. In conclusion, most nurses in the hospital demonstrated good knowledge, attitude and practices of AMS. However, challenges were faced in implementation and the inadequacy of education and training in AMS.