Patterns of Antibiotic Use in a Corporate Hospital in Bangladesh: A Point Prevalence Survey
Abstract
Objective: Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is the major contributor to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study explored the pattern of antibiotic use in a corporate hospital to mitigate the risk of AMR and patient safety.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was piloted at the Apollo Imperial Hospitals, Chattogram, Bangladesh. This study followed the WHO methodology for the Point Prevalence Survey. A total of 86 patients from different inpatient departments were enrolled for this survey on 8th April, 2025.
Results: Out of 86 patients, the overall prevalence of antibiotic use was 79.1%. Among patients receiving antibiotics, 61.8% and 35.3% were female and children below 14 years of age, respectively. Approximately 43%, 44%, and 13% of patients received single, double, and triple antibiotic therapies, respectively. In this study, 12%, 56%, and 32% antibiotics were used according to the WHO AWaRe classification of Access, Watch, and Reserve categories, respectively. A higher rate of both third-generation cephalosporins (35%) and carbapenems (32%) use was noted among all user groups, followed by aminoglycosides (22%), second-generation cephalosporins (19%), and fluoroquinolones (19%). Indications of prescription included community-acquired infection (43%), surgical prophylaxis (37%), and medical prophylaxis (20%). Antibiotic use had a significant association with patients’ age, hospital departments, and infection categories (p-value<0.05).
Conclusion: In the absence of national PPS data from corporate hospitals in Bangladesh, our findings of frequent antibiotics use with higher prescribing rates in Watch and Reserve groups should get the urgent attention of policymakers in order to contain AMR in Bangladesh.
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