Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns at COVID-19 Dedicated Wards in Bangladesh: Findings from a Single Center Study

• Published in: Infection prevention in practice Vol. 3; no. 2; p. 100134
• Main Authors: Molla, Md. Maruf Ahmed, Yeasmin, Mahmuda, Islam, Md. Khairul, Sharif, Md. Mohiuddin, Amin, Md. Robed, Nafisa, Tasnim, Ghosh, Asish Kumar, Parveen, Monira, Arif, Md. Masum Hossain, Alam, Junaid Abdullah Jamiul, Rizvi, Syed Jafar Raza, Saif-Ur-Rahman, K.M., Akram, Arifa, Shamsuzzaman, A.K.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antimicrobial resistance; Bangladesh; COVID-19; Point prevalence survey; SARS-CoV-2; Short Report; COVID-19; Bangladesh; SARS-CoV-2; Antimicrobial resistance; Point prevalence survey
• ISSN: 2590-0889; 2590-0889
• DOI: 10.1016/j.infpip.2021.100134

As evidence is mounting regarding irrational and often unnecessary use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic a cross-sectional Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) (in accordance with WHO guideline) was conducted across COVID-19 dedicated wards in Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). Antibiotic usage data were collected from 193 patients at different COVID-19 dedicated wards at DMCH on 11 June 2020. Comparisons in antibiotic usage were made between different groups using Pearson chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Findings reveal all surveyed patients (100%) were receiving at least one antibiotic with 133 patients (68.91%) receiving multiple antibiotics. Overall, patients presenting with the severe disease received more antibiotics. Third-generation cephalosporins (i.e. ceftriaxone) (53.8%), meropenem (40.9%), moxifloxacin (29.5%), and doxycycline (25.4%) were the four most prescribed antibiotics among surveyed patients. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was independently associated with multiple antibiotic prescribing. Abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum d-dimer were linked with higher odds of multiple antibiotic prescribing among study patients. Prevalence of multiple antibiotic prescriptions was high among severely ill patients and those with abnormal CRP and d-dimer levels. Data regarding the quality of antibiotic prescribing were lacking.