HEALTHCARE WORKERS PERCEPTIONS REGARDING ANTIBIOTIC USE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN LEBANON: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, empirical antibiotics prescription has increased globally in patients with COVID-19 for suspected or confirmed bacterial infection. Hence, concerns have been raised about potential rise in antibiotic resistance that will create further challenges for antimicrobial stewardship. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess healthcare workers attitudes and practices regarding antibiotics prescription during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon. The survey was distributed online using GOOGLE forms and included questions addressing socio-demographic characteristics, trainings in antibiotics use and healthcare workers attitudes and practices regarding antibiotics prescription during the pandemic. In total, 399 healthcare workers responded to the survey. Less than half of them had already participated in antibiotic prescription trainings before or during the pandemic. However, only 11% participated, mostly nurses, in antibiotic stewardship program. Azithromycin was the most prescribed antibiotic with Vitamin C and Zinc used as second line treatments in COVID-19 patients. In addition, nearly two-third of the participants reported an increase in antibiotic use during the early phase of the pandemic and considered that COVID-19 patients are receiving unnecessary antibiotics. This study showed excessive antibiotics prescription during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon that needs to be tackled by raising awareness of antimicrobial stewardship and control measures.