A national study on the prescription of anti-biotics in the public healthcare system has alarmingly found a large number of Clinicians incorrectly identifying the appropriate antibiotic for treating anaerobic infections.

According to Healthline.com, anaerobic infections are common infections caused by anaerobic bacteria, which occur naturally and are the most common flora in the body.

The study on the prescription of antibiotics was presented by Dr Taud Persaud on Saturday at the 19th Guyana Medical Research Conference. The study found 70% of the clinicians surveyed in the public healthcare system incorrectly identified the appropriate antibiotic for the infections, and 47 per cent of those clinicians did not reassess antibiotic treatment within 48 to 72 hours of initiating therapy.

The findings of the study have raised questions about the appropriate use of antibiotics in Guyana’s public healthcare system and the country’s preparedness to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global health threat that makes infections increasingly difficult to treat.

In his presentation, Dr Persaud explained that the research involved 219 clinicians working across public regional hospitals in all 10 administrative regions.

He told the conference that one of the most concerning findings was that almost seven out of every 10 clinicians answered incorrectly when presented with questions relating to the appropriate selection of antibiotics for anaerobic infections.

An inappropriate antibiotic could result in ineffective treatment, prolonged illness and complications for patients, while inappropriate antibiotic use can contribute to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

The research also highlighted weaknesses in the monitoring of antibiotic treatment, with 47 per cent of respondents indicating that they did not reassess patients’ antibiotic therapy within 48 to 72 hours after treatment was initiated.

It is believed that such reassessments are important in determining whether prescribed medication is working, whether treatment needs to be adjusted and whether further investigations are necessary.

The report found that the failure to routinely review antibiotic treatment could undermine efforts to ensure that patients receive appropriate medication and that antibiotics are used responsibly.

Dr Persaud explained that the research assessed clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes and prescribing practices, as well as the availability of institutional support systems needed to promote appropriate antibiotic use.

Although respondents demonstrated generally high levels of knowledge about antimicrobial resistance, the researchers identified significant gaps when clinicians were assessed using practical clinical scenarios.

The findings suggest that having theoretical knowledge about antibiotic resistance does not necessarily translate into appropriate prescribing and treatment-monitoring practices.

With antimicrobial resistance posing an increasing threat to public health, the findings also raise important questions about whether existing systems are adequately supporting clinicians in the responsible use of antibiotics.

The authors recommended strengthening national antimicrobial stewardship structures, improving medical education and ensuring greater access to local treatment guidelines and microbiology services.

The study further called for stronger monitoring systems to track antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance as part of efforts to prevent the continued spread of drug-resistant infections in Guyana.

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