Use of antimicrobials during the Covid-19 pandemic

A qualitative study among stakeholders in Nepal

Dados Bibliográficos

ID19594924
AutoresBinod Dhungel (0000-0002-7193-9109, Tribhuvan University, autor correspondente), Upendra Thapa Shrestha (0000-0001-7970-4972, Tribhuvan University, autor correspondente), Sanjib Adhikari (0000-0002-5874-2547, Tribhuvan University, autor correspondente), Nabaraj Adhikari (0000-0002-2677-224X, Tribhuvan University, autor correspondente), Alisha Bhattarai (Tribhuvan University, autor correspondente), Sunil Pokharel (0000-0002-6716-7732, University of Oxford, autor correspondente), Abhilasha Karkey (0000-0002-5179-650X, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, autor correspondente), Direk Limmathurotsakul (0000-0001-7240-5320, Mahidol University, autor correspondente), Prakash Ghimire (0000-0003-2503-412X, Tribhuvan University, autor correspondente), Komal Raj Rijal (0000-0001-6281-8236, Tribhuvan University, autor correspondente), Phaik Yeong Cheah (0000-0001-6327-3266, Mahidol University, autor correspondente), Christopher Pell (0000-0001-9405-5851, University of Amsterdam, autor correspondente), Bipin Adhikari (0000-0001-8981-3910, Mahidol University, autor correspondente)
EditoresDinesh Bhandari (0000-0002-0979-1406)
Ano2023
Volume3
Fascículo11
Páginase0002166
Data de publicação2023-11-14
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
EditoraPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0002166
PMID37963156
OpenAlexW4388669808
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas58

The COVID-19 pandemic was a major public health threat and the pressure to find curative therapies was tremendous. Particularly in the early critical phase of the pandemic, a lot of empirical treatments, including antimicrobials, were recommended. Drawing on interviews with patients, clinicians and drug dispensers, this article explores the use of antimicrobials for the management of COVID-19 in Nepal. A total of 30 stakeholders (10 clinicians, 10 dispensers and 10 COVID-19 patients) were identified purposively and were approached for an interview. Clinicians and dispensers in three tertiary hospitals in Kathmandu assisted in the recruitment of COVID-19 patients who were undergoing follow-up at an out-patient department. Interviews were audio recorded, translated and transcribed into English, and were analyzed thematically. The respondents report that over-the-counter (OTC) use of antibiotics was widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. This was mostly rooted in patients’ attempts to mitigate the potential severity of respiratory illnesses, and the fear of the stigmatization and social isolation linked to being identified as a COVID-19 patient. Patients who visited drug shops and physicians reportedly requested specific medicines including antibiotics. Clinicians reported uncertainty when treating COVID-19 cases that added pressure to prescribe antimicrobials. Respondents from all stakeholder groups recognized the dangers of excessive use of antimicrobials, with some referring to the development of resistance. The COVID-19 pandemic added pressure to prescribe, dispense and overuse antimicrobials, accentuating the pre-existing OTC use of antimicrobials. Infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics warrant special caution regarding the use of antimicrobials and specific policy response

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Disease · Environmental health · Geography · Outbreak · Pandemic · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Antibiotic Use and Resistance · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies · Medicine · Internal Medicine · Virology