Annals of Tropical Pathology

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2019  |  Volume : 10  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 48--51

Survey of antimicrobial consumption in a university teaching hospital in Southern Nigeria


Agantem Emmanuel Ekuma1, Echey Ijezie2, Tiemah Akpabio3, Ifeanyi Abraham Onwuezobe1 
1 Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
2 Department of Pediatrics, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
3 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Agantem Emmanuel Ekuma
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Uyo, Uyo
Nigeria

Background: There is increasing use of antimicrobial agents worldwide and especially in low- and middle-income countries. Point prevalence studies of antimicrobial consumption can be used to determine intervention areas for antimicrobial stewardship programs. This point prevalence study was conducted in preparation for antimicrobial stewardship program in our hospital. Methods: Data on antimicrobial consumption was collected from patients in the hospital during 4 weeks by hospital doctors. Data was entered into the Global Point Prevalence Survey internet-based application, downloaded, analyzed, and presented in frequencies and percentages. Results: Of 197 patients surveyed across 21 wards, 62.4% had one or more antimicrobial agents. Metronidazole was the most frequently prescribed agent, whereas cephalosporins were the most frequent class prescribed. Community-acquired infection was the most common indication for antimicrobial therapy, whereas skin and soft-tissue infections were the most common diagnosis. Reason for prescription was stated in notes of 61.4% of patients, whereas 34.8% had stop or review dates documented. There was no record of the use of biomarkers to guide antimicrobial treatment. Conclusion: There is a high antimicrobial prevalence in our institution with cephalosporins as the most frequently prescribed class of antimicrobials. Community-acquired infections are the most common indication for an antimicrobial prescription but are surpassed by medical and surgical prophylaxis combined. There is a need for clinicians in this institution to use guidelines and microbiology laboratory reports to guide antimicrobial prescribing to reduce the antimicrobial prevalence among patients.


How to cite this article:
Ekuma AE, Ijezie E, Akpabio T, Onwuezobe IA. Survey of antimicrobial consumption in a university teaching hospital in Southern Nigeria.Ann Trop Pathol 2019;10:48-51


How to cite this URL:
Ekuma AE, Ijezie E, Akpabio T, Onwuezobe IA. Survey of antimicrobial consumption in a university teaching hospital in Southern Nigeria. Ann Trop Pathol [serial online] 2019 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];10:48-51
Available from: https://www.atpjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2251-0060;year=2019;volume=10;issue=1;spage=48;epage=51;aulast=Ekuma;type=0