Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Prescription Among Dental Doctors in Kabul
Keywords: Antibiotic, Attitude, Antimicrobial resistance, Dentists, Knowledge, Practice, 4th district
Wakil Ahmad Ebrahimi
Abstract
Prescription of inappropriate antibiotics by dentists and other health workers contributes to the global rise of antimicrobial resistance. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dentists is essential to address this challenge. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental practitioners in Kabul city regarding antibiotic prescription in routine dental practice. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among licensed dentists practicing in the 4th district of Kabul city. Data was collected using a validated, self-administered structured questionnaire. IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 26) was used for data analysis. Majority of the participants were male (82.1%) and under 30 years of age (60.7%), with 67.9% having 1–5 years of work experience. While most dentists demonstrated acceptable levels of knowledge, 83.3% incorrectly believed that most dental extractions require antibiotic prescriptions. Amoxicillin was the most prescribed antibiotic (93.5%), followed by amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (4.2%). A notable knowledge gap was observed regarding the prophylactic use of antibiotics, particularly for immunosuppressed patients, where only 20.2% prescribed appropriately. However, unnecessary prophylactic prescribing was still reported at a considerable rate (12.9%), even in the absence of clear clinical indications. The study found significant gaps in the rational prescription of antibiotics among dental practitioners, particularly youngsters. Continuous professional training, adherence to clinical guidelines, and the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs are urgently needed to ensure prescribe responsibly and to address the current challenges.
