Exploring Nurses’ Perception of Antibiotic Use and Resistance: A Qualitative Inquiry

PURPOSE: Quality use of antibiotics and the development of antibiotic resistance is a global catastrophe. In the conceptual context, the phenomenon is correlated with the healthcare practitioners’ understanding of antibiotic use and resistance. Therefore, the study aimed to highlight nurses’ perception of antibiotic use and resistance at a public healthcare institute in Quetta City, Pakistan. RESPONDENTS AND METHODS: By using a semi-structured interview guide through the phenomenology-based approach, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Nurses practicing at the surgical and medical units of Sandeman Provincial Hospital (SPH), Quetta, were approached for the study. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and were then analyzed for thematic contents by the standard content analysis framework. RESULTS: Although the saturation was reached after the 13th interview, an additional two were interviewed for absolute validation. Content analysis revealed five major themes: (1) defining antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, (2) antibiotic use: awareness and concern, (3) antimicrobial resistance: awareness and concern, (4) responding to antibiotic use and resistance, and (5) barriers to quality use of antibiotics and prevention of antibiotic resistance. Even though the understanding of nurses regarding antibiotic use and resistance was promising, certain apprehensions were also observed. The respondents were aware of the critical situation and provided valuable insights that can offer significant input while promoting the quality use of antibiotics in a developing country. CONCLUSION: While the perception towards antibiotics appeared positive, potential areas of concern and contributing factors regarding antibiotic resistance were also identified. Importantly, nurses too highlighted possible solutions to address the issue of irrational antibiotic use and the development of antibiotic resistance.