Biopsychosocial analysis of antibiotic use for the prevention or management of COVID-19 infections: A scoping review
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
Abstract
Background: The novelty and complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in various coping mechanisms
adopted by individuals as a means of averting the perceived fatalities of the pandemic. The use of antibiotics in
the management of COVID-19 is clinically recommended under specific conditions. However, there are
increasing trends of non-adherence to the recommended criteria resulting in the unwarranted use of antibiotics
as an adaptative approach to the ongoing pandemic.
Objective: The objective was to identify and classify factors associated with the unwarranted use of antibiotics in
the management of COVID-19 from published literature and the perspectives of key stakeholders along a Bio psychosocial model.
Methods: Literature was searched in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Google
Scholar for studies published between 31st December 2019 and 31st January 2022. The Arskey and O’Malley
framework modified by Levac in the six-stage methodological process was adopted for this review and included:
a) identification of research questions, b) identification of relevant research articles, c) selection of studies, d)
data charting and synthesis, e) summary, discussion and analysis, and f) stakeholder consultations.
Results: Out of 10,252 records identified from all sources, 12 studies were selected for inclusion in this scoping
review. The selected articles reflected both antibiotic use and COVID-19 whilst capturing the biological (medical)
and psychosocial perspectives. Most of the studies reported the overuse or abuse of Azithromycin especially in
hospital settings. Common themes across the review and stakeholder consultations included fear, anxiety, media
influences and deficits in public knowledge.
Conclusion: The findings of the study highlight the complexity of antibiotic control especially in the context of a
pandemic. The identified determinants of antibiotic use provide the necessary framework to simulate health
emergencies and be better positioned in the future through the development of targeted and comprehensive
policies on antibiotic stewardship.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
COVID-19, Antibiotic, Misuse, Antimicrobial resistance