Abstract

ANTIBIOTIC USE AND PRESCRIPTION PRACTICE IN A RURAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN TANZANIA: A SURVEY

Paschal F. Mdoe*, Godfrey Guga, Benson Mwakalukwa, Emanuel Q. Nuwass, Joyce Huchet, Renatus Fabiano Nyarubamba, Yuda Munyaw, Joshua G. Gidabayda, Theodota Malisa, Museveni Justine and Estomih Mduma

Abstract

Aim: To assess antibiotic use, prescription practice and prescriber’s knowledge of rational antibiotic use. Methods: A survey was conducted in a rural hospital in Northern Tanzania by reviewing patient notes and interviewing prescribers using a questionnaire. A total of 503 patient notes were assessed and 37 prescribers answered the questionnaire. Results: The penicillin class of antibiotics was the most (49.9%) prescribed antibiotic compared with other antibiotic groups. Registrars (MD) comprised the majority (80.8%) of the prescribers. Blood/pus cultures were performed in only 3.6% (18/503) of patients for whom antibiotics were prescribed. Approximately one-third (164/503) of the antibiotics prescribed did not match the written diagnosis. More than 75% of the prescribers were aware of the threat of antibiotic resistance, though less than one quarter were able to correctly define the term “rational antibiotic use”. Approximately 25% of bacterial growth was resistant to two or more antibiotics. Conclusion: There is a high proportion of inappropriate antibiotic prescription in this hospital. Though most prescribers were aware of the threat of antibiotic resistance, very few were able to correctly define rational antibiotic use. There is a need for regular antibiotic surveillance and education concerning the rational use of antibiotics among prescribers.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, knowledge, practice, resistance.