December 10, 2010
The Question
What are the general perceptions of antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use among hospital staff in Kenya?
What we found
A large majority of those interviewed perceived antibiotic resistance as an important national issue, but fewer people viewed it as a problem in their own hospitals. Overall, those interviewed understood the consequences of antimicrobial resistance but this knowledge was not applied rigorously in the daily operations of the facility.
Why it matters
This preliminary study uncovered significant gaps in the perception of the gravity of antibacterial resistance among hospital staff in Kenya. It is important to promote education about the implications of antibiotic use and the results of the study may help create further observational studies and policies aimed to strengthen antibiotic education.
