Assessing Antibiotic Use and Antimicrobial Stewardship Practices in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital
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Abstract
Background: Antibiotics revolutionized the management of infections, but is also implicated in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to overuse and inappropriate prescribing. Prescription patterns vary across different healthcare settings, influenced by various factors. These patterns are essential to understanding and addressing the challenges of antimicrobial stewardship. This study assessed prescribing habits, AMS knowledge, and implementation challenges among Doctors at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
Methods: A cross‐sectional survey using semi‐structured questionnaires were administered to doctors.141 valid responses were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SPSS version 30.0. Chi-square test was used to test associations between categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Respondents were aged 35–44 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.3. Surgery and Family Medicine had the highest representation. While 78.7% were familiar with AMS, and 86.5% acknowledged its importance, only 36.4% had formal AMS training, and 39% were aware of AMS guidelines at UPTH. Antibiotic prescribing was mostly influenced by culture/sensitivity results and clinical judgment. Almost 80% of doctors prescribed antibiotics at least weekly without significant differences across cadres. Cephalosporins and Penicillins were most prescribed antibiotics. Only 39% regularly reviewed their prescribing practices.
Conclusion: Despite high levels of AMR and AMS awareness among doctors, a significant proportion lack formal training and knowledge of AMS guidelines. This underscores the need for structured AMS interventions, continuous training, development of institutional AMS guideline and strengthening of AMS practices to mitigate AMR at UPTH.
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