The Effect of Educational Intervention on Healthcare Workers’ Awareness and Knowledge of Antimicrobial Resistance, Stewardship, and Surveillance: Opportunities for Antimicrobial and Diagnostic Stewardship

Abstract

Introduction: Laboratories are key in conducting surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthcare facilities. Therefore, laboratory scientists need to understand the concepts of AMR surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs. This study evaluated the effect of an educational intervention on the laboratory scientists’ knowledge of AMR surveillance, antimicrobial use (AMU), and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Zambia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in March 2024 among 12 laboratory scientists from five hospitals across Zambia. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0. The Paired t-test was used to determine the significance between the pre-test and post-test results. We grouped qualitative questions into three themes, namely, (i) strengths, (ii) weaknesses and challenges, and (iii) proposed solutions to increase the capacity of laboratories to perform bacteriology, test for AMR, and conduct surveillance. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze qualitative data. Results: This study found a knowledge score of 73% pre-training and 89% post-training, indicating a 16% improvement in their knowledge. The lowest in the pre-training assessment was 60%, while the highest was 80%. Additionally, the lowest score in the post-training assessment was 75%, while the highest was 100%. Some of the strengths of the laboratories in conducting microbiology included the presence of physical laboratories, the availability of safety cabinets, incubators, autoclave machines, and the availability of beakers, bunsen burners, and centrifuges. However, some challenges faced by the laboratories included a shortage of microbiology staff, a lack of reagents, and inadequate training in bacteriology, AMR testing, and surveillance. Conclusion s : This study found that educational interventions through AMS training increase awareness and knowledge of AMU, AMR, and surveillance of AMR. Our study found that laboratories had many gaps in conducting AMR surveillance. Therefore, there is a need to provide AMS education and training, mentorship programs, capacity building, and adequate resources to strengthen laboratory capacity to conduct AMR testing and surveillance.