Abstract:
Background: The issues of antibiotics availability, selection, and proper use are of critical
importance to the global community. Despite their importance, the continued efficacy of antibiotic
therapies is threatened by the emergence of resistance. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of
the major contributing factors for the development of antibiotic resistance.
Objective: To assess the pattern of antibiotic use and predictors in the pediatric ward of Jimma
University Teaching Hospital, Jimma, south-west Ethiopia, 2014.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was used to assess antibiotic use using Gyssens et
al. checklist and SPS manual “antimicrobial use investigation” in the pediatric ward of Jimma
University Teaching Hospital. Six hundred fourteen patient files were selected by simple random
sampling method. The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
for windows version 20, and logistic regression method was used and P value of less than 0.05
was considered as statistically significant in the final model.
Results: Of the total 471patient files were assessed. Most of the participants were males
(58.81%), and rural residents (57.11%). The Percentage of hospitalized patients with one or
more antibiotics prescribed was 86.41%. Of the total of 812 antibiotics prescribed;
crystalline penicillin G was the most frequently prescribed166 (20.44%). A total of
126(30.96%) patients were deemed to be used antibiotics inappropriately. Inappropriate use of
antibiotics was associated with being between age category of 5-14 years (AOR: 2.40 (1.17-
4.91)), >10 days duration of hospital stay (AOR: 3.06 (CI=1.70-5.53)), and using >= 2
antibiotics per encounter (AOR: 3.50 (CI=1.77-6.93)).
Conclusion: This study has identified the presence of significant antibiotic use in Pediatric
patients admitted to JUTH. Percentage of hospitalizations with one or more antibiotics
prescribed and inappropriate use of antibiotics were a considerable number. Being between age
category of 5-14 years, >10 days duration of hospital stay, and using >= 2 antibiotics per
encounter were the independent predictors of inappropriate antibiotic use. Therefore, measures
needs to be taken by the responsible body to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use to the possible
level and against the independent predictors
