Assessment of antimicrobial use and prescribing practices among pediatric inpatients in Zimbabwe

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Olaru, Ioana D. and Meierkord, Anne and Godman, Brian and Ngwenya, Crispen and Fitzgerald, Felicity and Dondo, Vogai and Ferrand, Rashida and Kranzer, Katharina (2020) Assessment of antimicrobial use and prescribing practices among pediatric inpatients in Zimbabwe. Journal of Chemotherapy, 32 (8). pp. 456-459. ISSN 1120-009X (https://doi.org/10.1080/1120009X.2020.1734719)

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Abstract

This study aims to assess antimicrobial consumption in the pediatric department of a tertiary care public hospital in Zimbabwe. Clinical records of pediatric inpatients admitted to Harare Central Hospital over a 3-week period were reviewed prospectively. Antimicrobial consumption was described as days of therapy per 100 inpatient days (DOT/100 PD). Adherence of antimicrobial drug prescriptions to the National Guidelines was also evaluated. A total of 121 (93.1%) children were prescribed at least one antimicrobial out of 130 children admitted. The median age was 14 months (IQR: 3 – 48 months). Overall antimicrobial consumption was 155.4 DOT / 100 PD (95% CI 146-165.2). The most frequently prescribed antimicrobials were benzylpenicillin, gentamicin and ceftriaxone. Prescriptions were adherent to national guidelines in 57.7% of children. This study shows that there is high antimicrobial drug usage in hospitalized children in Zimbabwe and a considerable proportion of prescriptions are non-adherent with national guidelines.

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