Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jul-Sep;34(3):220-227.
doi: 10.1097/QMH.0000000000000468. Epub 2025 Jul 10.

Assessment of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for Enhancing Clinical Knowledge in Neonatal Care Settings With High Antimicrobial Resistance

Faiza Iqbal  1 , N Siva, Leslie Edward S Lewis, Jayashree Purkayastha, Shruthi K Bharadwaj, Baby S Nayak, Padmaja A Shenoy, Deepshri Ranjan, K E Vandana
Affiliations

Assessment of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for Enhancing Clinical Knowledge in Neonatal Care Settings With High Antimicrobial Resistance

Faiza Iqbal et al. Qual Manag Health Care. 2025 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem, which is particularly challenging in developing countries like India. This study attempts to determine the competencies of health care professionals and to update evidence-based policies to address AMR.

Methods: A survey-based educational interventional study was conducted using a validated structured survey and knowledge questionnaire under 3 domains through an antimicrobial stewardship program. Pooled data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.

Results: Out of 58 participants, 53 (91%) have observed an increasing trend of multidrug-resistant infections over the last 5 years. There is a significant difference between the overall pretest mean scores (8.12 ± 2.10) and posttest mean scores (12.5 ± 1.49) of clinicians' knowledge with a mean difference of 4.38 ± 0.61, 95% CI of 5.003-3.92, t(57) = 16.62, P < .001).

Conclusion: The antimicrobial stewardship program was effective in improving the competencies of clinical physicians to improve antimicrobial prescribing and reduce AMR. Moreover, improving the knowledge and competencies among health care professionals will minimize neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: antibiotics; antimicrobial stewardship; drug resistance; neonatal intensive care unit; neonatal sepsis; neonates; pediatricians.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no actual or potential conflict of interest directly or indirectly associated with this article’s subject. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

References

    1. Eichberger J, Resch E, Resch B. Diagnosis of neonatal sepsis: the role of inflammatory markers. Front Pediatr. 2022;10:840288. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2022.840288
    1. Milton R, Gillespie D, Dyer C, Taiyari K, Carvalho MJ, Thomson K, et al. Neonatal sepsis and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries from a facility-based birth cohort: an international multisite prospective observational study. Lancet Glob Health. 2022;10(5):e661-72. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00043-2. - DOI
    1. Torres D, Muñoz T, Bancalari A, Manríquez C. Prolonged initial empirical antibiotic treatment and the risk of morbidity and mortality in very low birthweight infants. Rev Chil Pediatr. 2018 Oct;89(5):600-605. doi:10.4067/S0370-41062018005000807. - DOI
    1. Shelar J. Indian neonates highly resistant to first-line antibiotics. The Hindu [Internet]. December 28, 2019 [cited September16, 2022]. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/indian-neonates-highly-resis...
    1. Yau JW, Thor SM, Tsai D, Speare T, Rissel C. Antimicrobial stewardship in rural and remote primary health care: a narrative review. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2021;10(1):105. doi:10.1186/s13756-021-00964-1. - DOI

Substances

LinkOut - more resources