Point Prevalence Survey of Antimicrobial Prescription and Indicators in a Tertiary Healthcare Center in Southern Nigeria
A. T. O. Awopeju *
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
N. I. Robinson
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
L. N. Ossai-Chidi
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
A. A. Jonah
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
M. A. Alex-Wele
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
I. L. Oboro
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
C. D. Okoli
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
C. C. Duru
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
R. Ugwu
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
L. E. Yago-Ide
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
N. I. Paul
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
K. T. Wariso
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
O. K. Obunge
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial stewardship programmes are interventions which have been developed to address irrational and inappropriate use particularly in health care centers. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes involve a set of activities which promote appropriate use of antimicrobials in terms of selection, dosing, route and duration of antimicrobial therapy.
Methods: A Point-prevalence survey (PPS) was organized in line with Global point prevalence patient-based protocol for PPS and antimicrobial use was carried out in the paediatrics department of a tertiary healthcare institution in southern Nigeria. A total of 66 inpatients on admission for at least 24hours and still on admission at 8am on the day of the survey were included in the study.
Results: The results show that 34 (51.50%) patients were on at least one antimicrobial drug and this included 19 (55.80%) males and 15 (44.20%) females. The highest proportion (n=15; 44%) of these patients were admitted in the children emergency ward while the least number (n=5; 14.7%) were found in children medical ward 1. The average age of patients on antimicrobials was 53 months. Thirty-four (51.50%) patients were on at least one antimicrobial drug and this included 19 (55.8%) males and 15 (44.2%) females. The three most prescribed antimicrobials were, ceftriaxone (23.88%), aminoglycoside gentamicin (20.90%), cefuroxime (16.42%) and Ceftazidime was the least common antibiotic prescribed (1.49%). Only 10.45 % were targeted therapy (based on microbiological results) while there was missing information for 10.45% of prescriptions.
Conclusion: The findings of the study shows that it is important to initiate antimicrobial stewardship programmes within our hospital to optimize antimicrobial use to improve patient care in the hospital.
Keywords: Point prevalence survey, antimicrobial consumption, antimicrobial prescription, tertiary healthcare, Nigeria