Table 2 Perceptions and practices of community pharmacists towards antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance
Variable | Frequency and percentage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | |
Perceptions towards antimicrobial resistance | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Antibiotic resistance is a problem in the hospital setting but not a problem in the community | 40 (35.1) | 28 (24.6) | 22 (19.3) | 13 (11.4) | 11 (9.6) |
 Dispensing antibiotics without prescription from community pharmacies contributes to the problem of antibiotic resistance | 5 (4.4) | 6 (5.3) | 14 (12.3) | 18 (15.8) | 71 (62.3) |
 The ease of availability of antibiotics from community pharmacies contributes to the problem of antibiotic resistance in Libya | 2 (1.8) | 6 (5.3) | 21 (18.4) | 27 (23.7) | 58 (50.9) |
 Antibiotics cure a patient with diarrhoea more quickly than not having an antibiotic | 29 (25.4) | 25 (21.9) | 33 (28.9) | 17 (14.9) | 10 (8.8) |
 Antibiotics give faster cure for a patient with a sore throat than non-antibiotic treatment | 16 (14.0) | 19 (16.7) | 35 (30.7) | 27 (23.7) | 17 (14.9) |
 Antibiotic resistance resulting from the supply of antibiotics from community pharmacies is not a significant problem | 47 (41.2) | 14 (12.3) | 19 (16.7) | 18 (15.8) | 16 (14.0) |
 Community pharmacists have an important role to play to reduce the problem of antibiotic resistance | 3 (2.6) | 13 (11.4) | 9 (7.9) | 13 (11.4) | 76 (66.7) |
Practices regarding antibiotic use | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 If I am unsure whether or not a patient has a bacterial infection, I will supply antibiotics just in case it is | 37 (32.5) | 14 (12.3) | 28 (24.6) | 25 (21.9) | 10 (8.8) |
 If I am in doubt which antibiotic is best for a patient, I will supply a broad spectrum one, just in case | 18 (15.8) | 13 (11.4) | 31 (27.2) | 39 (34.2) | 13 (11.4) |
 I supply antibiotics when patients request them specifically, because if I do not supply them, they will just go to another pharmacy | 31 (27.2) | 18 (15.8) | 14 (12.3) | 24 (21.1) | 27 (23.7) |
 It is important for pharmacists to only supply antibiotics when clinically needed, and not be driven by commercial pressures | 3 (2.6) | 9 (7.9) | 4 (3.5) | 31 (27.2) | 67 (58.8) |
 When the pharmacy is busy, I am more likely to supply antibiotics if a customer asks specifically for an antibiotic, compared to when the pharmacy is quiet | 29 (25.4) | 14 (12.3) | 26 (22.8) | 26 (22.8) | 19 (16.7) |
 It is important to supply a full course of antibiotics to a patient at the time, even when the patient says it is too expensive | 2 (1.8) | 10 (8.8) | 21 (18.4) | 34 (29.8) | 47 (41.2) |
 I am happy to supply an antibiotic without further questioning if a patient requests one by name | 28 (24.6) | 26 (22.8) | 14 (12.3) | 34 (29.8) | 12 (10.5) |
 I supply antibiotics only if I am certain that a patient has a bacterial infection | 5 (4.4) | 12 (10.5) | 25 (21.9) | 30 (26.3) | 42 (36.8) |
 In cases where patients have no drug allergy history and no contraindication, I will supply a first line antibiotic as recommended in practice guidelines | 9 (7.9) | 14 (12.3) | 33 (28.9) | 36 (31.6) | 22 (19.3) |
 If a patient cannot afford a full course of antibiotics all in one go, I will give them a smaller amount they are able to afford at that time, even when a longer duration of treatment is required | 27 (23.7) | 8 (7.0) | 26 (22.8) | 31 (27.2) | 22 (19.3) |
 It is good practice for patients to keep a supply of antibiotics at home in case they need them later | 49 (43.0) | 21 (18.4) | 19 (16.7) | 11 (9.6) | 14 (12.3) |