Prescribing patterns of antimicrobials according to the WHO AWaRe classification at a tertiary referral hospital in the southern highlands of Tanzania
Summary: Background: Antimicrobial consumption continues to rise globally and contributes to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial prescribing patterns in a selected tertiary hospital in Tanzania. Methods: This cross-sectional study was con...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-06-01
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| Series: | Infection Prevention in Practice |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590088924000118 |
| _version_ | 1797303914109861888 |
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| author | Anthony Nsojo Lutengano George Davance Mwasomola Joseph Tawete Christopher H. Mbotwa Clement N. Mweya Issakwisa Mwakyula |
| author_facet | Anthony Nsojo Lutengano George Davance Mwasomola Joseph Tawete Christopher H. Mbotwa Clement N. Mweya Issakwisa Mwakyula |
| author_sort | Anthony Nsojo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: Background: Antimicrobial consumption continues to rise globally and contributes to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial prescribing patterns in a selected tertiary hospital in Tanzania. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for one year (September 2021–September 2022) at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, a public hospital in the southern highlands zone of Tanzania. Data on clinical diagnosis, laboratory tests, prescribed antimicrobials, and prescribers' designations were collected through a custom eMedical system, aligning antimicrobials with the WHO's 2021 AWaRe classification. Descriptive analysis was performed to assess the pattern of antimicrobial prescriptions. Results: Of 2,293 antimicrobial prescriptions, 62.41% were ACCESS, 37.42% were WATCH, and 0.17% fell in the RESERVE categories. Metronidazole, accounting for 23.8%, was the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial. More than 50% of the ACCESS and WATCH prescriptions were justified by laboratory diagnosis and were predominantly prescribed by clinicians. A very small proportion of prescriptions (<1%) were informed by culture and sensitivity (C/S) testing. The Paediatric department had the majority of WATCH prescriptions (72.2%). Conclusion: The prescribing patterns at the study hospital generally align with WHO AWaRe guidelines, potentially mitigating antimicrobial resistance. Nevertheless, the scarcity of culture and sensitivity testing is a concern that warrants targeted improvement. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T00:00:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1ef4060ef11b45bb80d71216b96cd398 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2590-0889 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T00:00:30Z |
| publishDate | 2024-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infection Prevention in Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-1ef4060ef11b45bb80d71216b96cd3982024-02-18T04:42:53ZengElsevierInfection Prevention in Practice2590-08892024-06-0162100347Prescribing patterns of antimicrobials according to the WHO AWaRe classification at a tertiary referral hospital in the southern highlands of TanzaniaAnthony Nsojo0Lutengano George1Davance Mwasomola2Joseph Tawete3Christopher H. Mbotwa4Clement N. Mweya5Issakwisa Mwakyula6Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 608, Mbeya, Tanzania; Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, P. O. Box 419, Mbeya, TanzaniaMbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, P. O. Box 419, Mbeya, TanzaniaMbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, P. O. Box 419, Mbeya, TanzaniaMbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, P. O. Box 419, Mbeya, TanzaniaMbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 608, Mbeya, TanzaniaMbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 608, Mbeya, Tanzania; Mbeya Medical Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, P. O. Box 2410, Mbeya, TanzaniaMbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 608, Mbeya, Tanzania; Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, P. O. Box 419, Mbeya, Tanzania; Corresponding author.Summary: Background: Antimicrobial consumption continues to rise globally and contributes to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial prescribing patterns in a selected tertiary hospital in Tanzania. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for one year (September 2021–September 2022) at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, a public hospital in the southern highlands zone of Tanzania. Data on clinical diagnosis, laboratory tests, prescribed antimicrobials, and prescribers' designations were collected through a custom eMedical system, aligning antimicrobials with the WHO's 2021 AWaRe classification. Descriptive analysis was performed to assess the pattern of antimicrobial prescriptions. Results: Of 2,293 antimicrobial prescriptions, 62.41% were ACCESS, 37.42% were WATCH, and 0.17% fell in the RESERVE categories. Metronidazole, accounting for 23.8%, was the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial. More than 50% of the ACCESS and WATCH prescriptions were justified by laboratory diagnosis and were predominantly prescribed by clinicians. A very small proportion of prescriptions (<1%) were informed by culture and sensitivity (C/S) testing. The Paediatric department had the majority of WATCH prescriptions (72.2%). Conclusion: The prescribing patterns at the study hospital generally align with WHO AWaRe guidelines, potentially mitigating antimicrobial resistance. Nevertheless, the scarcity of culture and sensitivity testing is a concern that warrants targeted improvement.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590088924000118Prescribing patternsAntimicrobialsWHO AWaRe classificationTertiary referral hospitalTanzania |
| spellingShingle | Anthony Nsojo Lutengano George Davance Mwasomola Joseph Tawete Christopher H. Mbotwa Clement N. Mweya Issakwisa Mwakyula Prescribing patterns of antimicrobials according to the WHO AWaRe classification at a tertiary referral hospital in the southern highlands of Tanzania Infection Prevention in Practice Prescribing patterns Antimicrobials WHO AWaRe classification Tertiary referral hospital Tanzania |
| title | Prescribing patterns of antimicrobials according to the WHO AWaRe classification at a tertiary referral hospital in the southern highlands of Tanzania |
| title_full | Prescribing patterns of antimicrobials according to the WHO AWaRe classification at a tertiary referral hospital in the southern highlands of Tanzania |
| title_fullStr | Prescribing patterns of antimicrobials according to the WHO AWaRe classification at a tertiary referral hospital in the southern highlands of Tanzania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prescribing patterns of antimicrobials according to the WHO AWaRe classification at a tertiary referral hospital in the southern highlands of Tanzania |
| title_short | Prescribing patterns of antimicrobials according to the WHO AWaRe classification at a tertiary referral hospital in the southern highlands of Tanzania |
| title_sort | prescribing patterns of antimicrobials according to the who aware classification at a tertiary referral hospital in the southern highlands of tanzania |
| topic | Prescribing patterns Antimicrobials WHO AWaRe classification Tertiary referral hospital Tanzania |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590088924000118 |
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