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Antibiotic Use in Suspected and Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Health Facilities in Sierra Leone in 2020–2021: Practice Does Not Follow Policy

Author

Listed:
  • Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara

    (World Health Organization, 21A-B Riverside, Off King Harman Road Freetown, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Ajay M. V. Kumar

    (International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 68 Boulevard Saint Michel, 75006 Paris, France
    International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, South-East Asia Office, C-6 Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016, India
    Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore 575018, India)

  • Anna Maruta

    (World Health Organization, 21A-B Riverside, Off King Harman Road Freetown, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Bobson Derrick Fofanah

    (World Health Organization, 21A-B Riverside, Off King Harman Road Freetown, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Charles Kuria Njuguna

    (World Health Organization, 21A-B Riverside, Off King Harman Road Freetown, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Steven Shongwe

    (World Health Organization, 21A-B Riverside, Off King Harman Road Freetown, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Francis Moses

    (Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 4th Floor, Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Sia Morenike Tengbe

    (Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 4th Floor, Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Joseph Sam Kanu

    (National Disease Surveillance Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Cockerill, Wilkinson Road, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
    Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Sulaiman Lakoh

    (Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 4th Floor, Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Alie H. D. Mansaray

    (Crops Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Kalaiselvi Selvaraj

    (All India Institute of Medicine Sciences, Nagpur 441108, India)

  • Mohammed Khogali

    (Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Rony Zachariah

    (Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

Abstract

Inappropriate use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to increase the burden of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, we report on the prevalence of antibiotic use and its associated factors among suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to 35 health facilities in Sierra Leone from March 2020–March 2021. This was a cross-sectional study using routinely collected patient data. Of 700 confirmed COVID-19 patients, 47% received antibiotics. The majority (73%) of the antibiotics belonged to the ’WATCH’ group of antibiotics, which are highly toxic and prone to resistance. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were azithromycin, ceftriaxone, amoxicillin, metronidazole, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Antibiotic use was significantly higher in patients aged 25–34 years than in those with severe disease. Of 755 suspected COVID-19 patients, 61% received antibiotics, of which the majority (58%) belonged to the ‘WATCH’ category. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were ceftriaxone, metronidazole, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and amoxycillin. The prevalence of antibiotic use among suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to healthcare facilities in Sierra Leone was high and not in line with national and WHO case management guidelines. Training of health care providers, strengthening of antimicrobial stewardship programs, and microbiological laboratory capacity are urgently needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara & Ajay M. V. Kumar & Anna Maruta & Bobson Derrick Fofanah & Charles Kuria Njuguna & Steven Shongwe & Francis Moses & Sia Morenike Tengbe & Joseph Sam Kanu & Sulaiman Lakoh & Al, 2022. "Antibiotic Use in Suspected and Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Health Facilities in Sierra Leone in 2020–2021: Practice Does Not Follow Policy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-14, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4005-:d:781210
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Celine S. L. Chui & Benjamin J. Cowling & Wey Wen Lim & Christopher K. M. Hui & Esther W. Chan & Ian C. K. Wong & Peng Wu, 2020. "Patterns of Inpatient Antibiotic Use Among Public Hospitals in Hong Kong from 2000 to 2015," Drug Safety, Springer, vol. 43(6), pages 595-606, June.
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