Point prevalence survey of antibiotic use in level 1 hospitals in Zambia: future prospects for antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Massele, Amos Y.

Point prevalence survey of antibiotic use in level 1 hospitals in Zambia: future prospects for antimicrobial stewardship programs.

dc.contributor.author	Massele, Amos Y.
dc.date.accessioned	2025-02-20T12:37:16Z
dc.date.available	2025-02-20T12:37:16Z
dc.date.issued	2025-02-15
dc.description.abstract	Introduction: The inappropriate prescribing and use of antibiotics have contributed to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Zambia, there is a paucity of information on the prescribing patterns and use of antibiotics among hospitalized patients in level 1 hospitals. This study investigated antibiotic use in five level 1 hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized the World Health Organization (WHO) Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) methodology among in-patients admitted in level 1 hospitals before 08:00 a.m. on the survey day in August 2024. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 23.0. Results: The prevalence of antibiotic use among inpatients was 59.0%, with ceftriaxone being the most prescribed. Antibiotics were prescribed mainly for paediatrics and male inpatients. This study found that 53.0% of prescribed antibiotics were from the Access group while 38.2% were from the Watch group of the World Health Organization Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification. Adherence to national treatment guidelines was 36.0%, with most antibiotics prescribed empirically without evidence of culture and sensitivity tests. Conclusion: This study found a high use of antibiotics and low adherence to treatment guidelines in level 1 hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. The findings of this study demonstrate the need to establish and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs and strengthen laboratory capacity to aid clinicians in diagnosing, treating, and managing patients across level 1 hospitals in Zambia.
dc.identifier.citation	Mudenda, S., Lubanga, A.F., Jamshed, S., Biemba, B., Sakala, R., Chiyabi, M., Kavubya, L., Milambo, L.T., Bumbangi, F.N., Chizimu, J.Y. and Yamba, K., 2025. Point prevalence survey of antibiotic use in level 1 hospitals in Zambia: future prospects for antimicrobial stewardship programs. Infection and Drug Resistance, 18, pp.887-902.
dc.identifier.other	https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S509522
dc.identifier.uri	http://kuir.ku.ac.tz:4000/handle/123456789/1479
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher	Dovepress
dc.subject	antibiotic use
dc.subject	antimicrobial resistance
dc.subject	antimicrobial stewardship
dc.title	Point prevalence survey of antibiotic use in level 1 hospitals in Zambia: future prospects for antimicrobial stewardship programs.
dc.type	Article