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Public healthcare practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices related to oral antibiotic prescriptions for dental use in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal


Prishana Ramnarain
Shenuka Singh

Abstract

Background: There is limited published evidence on health workers’ perspectives on trends in oral antibiotic prescription for dental conditions in the public health sector.


Aim: This study set to determine healthcare practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices related to oral antibiotic prescriptions for dental use.


Setting: This included two public hospitals in Pietermaritzburg.


Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using quantitative data. Purposive sampling was used to select medical and dental practitioners from  Institution A and B (n = 122). A self-administered questionnaire was developed using open and close-ended questions. Data were collected and  analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS version 25R).


Results: The response rate for the study was 72.1%. The majority of study participants (n = 72, 81.8%) indicated awareness of an antibiotic  stewardship programme in their respective institutions. However, a significant number (n = 42; 47.7%) of participants were unsure of whether this  programme was active. Most participants (n = 80, 90.9%) indicated the need for improving oral antibiotic prescription for dental conditions.  Participants indicated prescription of antibiotics for orofacial swellings (n = 52; 59.0%) and dental pain related to irreversible pulpitis (n = 29; 32.9%),  reversible pulpitis (n = 33; 37.5%) and dental fillings (n = 15; 17.0%). Antibiotics were also prescribed for pericoronitis (n = 58; 65.9%), periodontitis (n  = 57; 64.7%) and impacted teeth (n = 21; 23.8%). All dental practitioners (n = 14) supported the need for antibiotic cover for pericoronitis and  periodontitis.


Conclusion: The results indicated inconsistencies in healthcare practitioners’ reported knowledge, attitudes and practices related to  antibiotic prescription patterns.


Contribution: This study highlights the need for clear evidence-based guidelines for antibiotic prescription for  dental conditions. 


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2071-9736
print ISSN: 1025-9848