Antibiotic Usage in Patients Having Undergone Caesarean Section: A Three-Level Study in Benin

• Published in: Antibiotics (Basel) Vol. 11; no. 5; p. 617
• Main Authors: Dohou, Angèle Modupè, Buda, Valentina Oana, Yemoa, Loconon Achille, Anagonou, Severin, Van Bambeke, Françoise, Van Hees, Thierry, Dossou, Francis Moïse, Dalleur, Olivia
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 04.05.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: antenatal antibiotic use; antibiotic prophylaxis; Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Antimicrobial agents; Benin; Biochemistry; caesarean section; Developing countries; Disease prevention; Drug resistance; General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics; Hospitals; Human health sciences; Infectious Diseases; LDCs; Microbiology; Microbiology (medical); Patients; Pharmacie, pharmacologie & toxicologie; Pharmacology (medical); Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (all); Pharmacy, pharmacology & toxicology; Postpartum; postpartum antibiotic use; Prophylaxis; Sciences de la santé humaine; Self-medication; Urinary tract diseases; Urinary tract infections; Urogenital system; Womens health; Benin; Benin; antibiotic prophylaxis; postpartum antibiotic use; caesarean section; antenatal antibiotic use
• ISSN: 2079-6382; 2079-6382
• DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11050617

The intense use and misuse of antibiotics is undoubtedly the main factor associated with the high numbers of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic and commensal bacteria worldwide. In low-income countries, this misuse and overuse is widespread, with great consequences at the personal and global levels. In the context of user fee exemptions in caesarean sections, we performed a descriptive study in women to assess the use of antibiotics on three levels-antenatal, during caesarean section, and postpartum-in four Beninese hospitals. Out of the 141 women included, 56.7% were using antibiotics. More than the half (71.3%) were taking more than one antibiotic, either for a long time or in acute treatment. In prophylaxis, the timing, dose, and duration of administration were not correctly achieved. Only 31.2% of women received optimal antibiotic prophylaxis. Various antibiotics including broad-spectrum molecules were used in the patients after caesarean section. The use of antibiotics was improper on the three levels studied. The high rate of self-administered antibiotics, the poor achievement of antibiotic prophylaxis, and the postpartum overuse of antibiotics showed a poor quality of care provided in pregnancy. A national policy is essential to improve the use of antibiotics by the general public as well as by professionals.