Abstract

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to public health. Misuse or overuse of antimicrobials contributes to the emergence of AMR. Data on antimicrobial prescribing represent the cornerstone for guiding antimicrobial stewardship strategies. This study aimed to assess the use, indications, classification, and quality indicators of antimicrobials prescribed to patients in four tertiary hospitals in Niger.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used the methodology for Global Point Prevalence Surveys in tertiary hospitals between January and April 2024. Hospital records of all inpatients on admission at 08:00 hours on a specific day were reviewed for antimicrobial use during the survey.

Results

The overall prevalence of antibiotic use across hospitals was 54.5% (n = 470/862), ranging between 66.2% (n = 149/234) and 44.3% (n = 183/258). Most antibiotics used were antibacterials (89.0%, n = 637). Third-generation cephalosporins (48.2%, 307/637), imidazole derivatives (14.7%, 105/716), penicillins with extended spectrum (9.6%, 69/716), and fluoroquinolones (6.1%, 44/716) were the most commonly prescribed classes of antibiotics. Most antibiotics (84.9%, n = 608) were prescribed to treat community-acquired infections, while surgical prophylaxis accounted for 6.4% (n = 47/716). Most antibiotics (96.1%; n = 688/716) were used empirically, and less than a quarter (20.7%) of antibiotics prescribed had a documented stop/review date recorded. Only, 4.2% (n = 31/716) of prescribed antibiotics had cultures and susceptibility testing requested.

Conclusion

This study shows that antibiotic prescription rates are high in tertiary hospitals, with relatively high use of third-generation cephalosporins. Most antibiotics were empirically used and not guided by culture and susceptibility testing. These results could be the subject of key interventions for hospital antibiotic stewardship strategies in Niger.

Details

Title
Antimicrobial use in hospitalized patients: a point prevalence survey across four tertiary hospitals in Niger
Author
Tapha, Ounoussa 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Degbey, Cyriaque Comlan 2 ; Yacouba, Abdourahamane 3 ; Tchioundjro, Espère Mahouna 1 ; N’Kpingou Théodore Nadakou 2 ; Ibrahim Alkassoum Salifou 4 ; Sahada Moussa Saley 4 ; Daou, Mamane 4 ; Brah, Souleymane 4 ; Eric Omar Adehossi 4 ; Hinson, Antoine Vikkey 5 ; Saidou Mamadou 1 

1  Laboratoire National de Référence sur la Résistance aux Anti-Microbiens, Hôpital National Amirou Boubacar Diallo , Niamey , Niger 
2  Département Santé Environnement, Institut Régional de Santé Publique Comlan Alfred Quenum (IRSP) , Ouidah , Benin 
3  Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, Hôpital National Amirou Boubacar Diallo , Niamey , Niger 
4  Faculté des Sciences de la Santé—Université Abdou Moumouni , Niamey , Niger 
5  Unit of Teaching and Research in Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi , Cotonou , Benin 
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Oct 2024
Publisher
Oxford University Press
e-ISSN
26321823
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlae175
ProQuest document ID
3170490386
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.