Antibiotic use at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania: findings from a point prevalence survey

Background In Tanzania, data on antibiotic use at the patient level is scarce, and intervention measures to optimize antibiotic use and reduce antimicrobial resistance are rarely performed. Objectives To describe antibiotic use at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methods This was a point prevalence survey on antibiotic use conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital in August-September 2022. The World Health Organization point prevalence survey data collection tool was used to collect patients’ information from the files. All patients admitted to the wards on the day of the survey were included. Results Overall, 47% (185/397) of admitted patients were on at least one antibiotic during the survey. All antibiotics prescribed were for empirical treatment and guideline compliance was low, at 45%. Of 185 patients who received antibiotics, the most common indication was community acquired infection (55%) and 36% had no documentation of the reasons for prescribing antibiotics. Almost 75% of the antibiotics were administered parenterally, with only 2% switching to oral route. Microbiological tests were performed in only 9 (5%) patients out of 185 and results were available for only one patient. Of all participants, 52% received two or more antibiotic in combination, with the combination ceftriaxone-metronidazole being most frequently prescribed, followed by the combination of ampicillin, cloxacillin, and gentamicin. For individual antibiotics, ceftriaxone was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic accounting for 28% (79/283), followed by metronidazole (24%) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (11%). Conclusion The findings of a high prevalence of antibiotic use, inadequate use of bacterial culture, and frequent empiric antibiotic treatment suggests the need for strengthening diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship programs. Furthermore, this study has identified areas for quality improvement, including education programs focusing on prescription practice.