Kainga Henson, Phonera Marvin, Kallu Simegnew Adugna, Chatanga Elisha, Mwenifumbo Merning, Nkhoma Joseph, Njunga Gilson
Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe, P.O. Box 219, Malawi.
Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Lilongwe, P.O. Box 2096, Malawi.
BMC Vet Res. 2025 May 30;21(1):390. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04837-2.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health concern, and the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animals and humans is considered a significant contributing factor. Para-veterinarians and veterinarians are vital in the fight against AMR. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the para-veterinarians and veterinarians towards antimicrobial stewardship in Malawi. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey among the para-veterinarians and veterinarians was conducted from October 2024 to January 2025. A total of 69 participants, comprised of 42 para-veterinarians and 27 veterinarians, participated in this study, and the response rate for the survey was 44% (n = 158). The study used a predetermined cutoff of ≥ 55% to classify scores as having good knowledge, good practice, and a positive attitude. The study found that 85.5% of the respondents had good knowledge and 98.6% had good practices towards antimicrobial stewardship and prevention of AMR, while 92.8% had favorable attitude towards AMR and antimicrobial stewardship. The maximum obtainable scores for each construct were 11, 13 and 13 for knowledge, practice, and attitude, respectively. The overall mean scores for knowledge, practice and attitude were 11.25 ± 2.83, 8.71 ± 1.34 and 9.04 ± 1.64, respectively. These findings indicated that the respondents had good knowledge, good practices and favorable positive attitude towards AMR and antimicrobial stewardship. The study concludes that there is good level of knowledge, practice and favorable attitude among para-veterinarians and veterinarians towards antimicrobial stewardship which can be capitalized in the fight against AMR in Malawi. The veterinary professionals can be entrusted to comply with responsible antimicrobial prescriptions and use.
抗菌药物耐药性（AMR）是一个全球公共卫生问题，动物和人类中抗生素的不当使用被认为是一个重要的促成因素。准兽医和兽医在对抗AMR的斗争中至关重要。该研究旨在评估马拉维准兽医和兽医对抗菌药物管理的知识、态度和实践。2024年10月至2025年1月对准兽医和兽医进行了横断面问卷调查。共有69名参与者，包括42名准兽医和27名兽医参与了这项研究，调查的回复率为44%（n = 158）。该研究使用预先设定的≥55%的临界值将分数分类为具有良好知识、良好实践和积极态度。研究发现，85.5%的受访者对抗菌药物管理和预防AMR有良好的知识，98.6%有良好的实践，而92.8%对AMR和抗菌药物管理有积极态度。每个结构的最高可获得分数分别为知识11分、实践13分和态度13分。知识、实践和态度的总体平均分数分别为11.25±2.83、8.71±1.34和9.04±1.64。这些发现表明，受访者对AMR和抗菌药物管理有良好的知识、良好的实践和积极的态度。该研究得出结论，准兽医和兽医对抗菌药物管理有良好的知识水平、实践和积极态度，这可以在马拉维对抗AMR的斗争中加以利用。兽医专业人员可以被委托遵守负责任的抗菌药物处方和使用规定。
