Antibiotic and antifungal use in paediatric departments at three academic hospitals in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

South Africa implemented a National Strategic Framework to optimise antimicrobial stewardship in 2014; however, there is limited data on how this has affected prescribing, especially to children treated in academic centres.

Methods

We conducted a point prevalence survey using the World Health Organization (WHO) methodology to evaluate antibiotic and antifungal prescribing practices in paediatric departments at three academic hospitals in South Africa.

Results

We recorded 1946 antimicrobial prescriptions in 1191 children, with 55.2% and 39.2% of the antibiotics classified as WHO AWaRe Access and Watch drugs, respectively. There were significant differences in prescription of Reserve antibiotics and antifungals between institutions. Receipt of WHO Watch and R

SUBMITTER: Moore DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10835277 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature