Doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and prescription practices on antibiotic use: a study in a suburban tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Antibiotic misuse significantly contributes to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Evaluating doctors’ prescribing practices is crucial for improving antibiotic stewardship and minimizing resistance. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of doctors concerning antibiotic prescribing and to identify factors influencing their prescribing behaviours at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to August 2024 among 205 doctors selected randomly from five department. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. This study included 205 doctors, with mean age of 31.5 years. Most of the participants were males (60.5%), Christians (84.4%) and from Esan ethnic group. The survey revealed that 142 (69.3%) of the participants had good knowledge of antibiotic prescribing, and 185 (90.2%) and 189 (92.2%) of the clinicians reported adhering to hospital and international guidelines, respectively. Despite this, only 73 (35.6%) had attended recent training on antibiotic use. Influencing factors included poor-quality antibiotics 113 (55.1%) and increased clinical experience 99 (48.3%). Although 99 (48.3%) of the clinicians felt confident in their prescribing abilities, prescription alterations by senior colleagues were noted. Doctors at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital generally possess good knowledge and adherence to antibiotic guidelines. However, insufficient training and poor-quality antibiotics are barriers to optimal prescribing practices. Enhancing continuous education and improving drug quality are essential to advancing antibiotic stewardship and combating resistance.