Abstract:

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest consequence health drawbacks is the world that escalate in very high rate. With high demands, antibacterials are much prone to bacterial resistance. Thus, ensuring appropriate access to antibacterials while avoiding excess use of antibacterials agents, is a major challenge in all settings.

Methodology: Retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among paediatric inpatients at Sekou Toure RRH, Mwanza, Tanzania. The study duration was from October 2019 to September 2020. All antibacterial use data was collected from hospital customized admission files of all paediatric inpatients aged between 0-17 years by using adopted systems for improved access to pharmaceuticals and services form to record antimicrobial treatment.

Results: A total of 492 (85%) Paediatrics were prescribed at least one antibacterial during their days of admission. The mean age was 2.2 years (IQR: 0 – 17 years) with a mean length of hospitalization 5 days. Overall antibacterial use was 80 DOT/100 PD with 55% adherence to standard treatment guidelines, 33% non-adherence and 15% partial adherence. The most frequently prescribed antibacterial were gentamicin, ampicillin and ceftriaxone by 27%, 21% and 17% respectively. The commonest route of administration was injection 92% and common presenting illness being pneumonia 15% and malaria 14%.

Conclusion: This study shows a high proportion of antibacterial use among paediatric inpatients especially in secondary health care facilities with almost negligible susceptibility tests conducted. But also, a tremendous result on adherence of standard treatment guidelines was apparent low.