Antimicrobial use–related problems and their costs in surgery ward of Jimma University Medical Center: Prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotics are among the most commonly misused of all drugs, which results in antibiotic resistance and waste of resources and it has not been studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess antibiotic use–related problems and their costs among patients hospitalized at the surgical ward of Jimma University Medical Center. METHODS: Hospital-based prospective observational study was used to assess the prevalence, cost, and determinants of antibiotic use–related problems; multiple stepwise backward logistic regression analysis was done for a P value of < 0.25 to look for predictors of antibiotic use-related problems. Written informed consent was obtained and confidentiality was secured. RESULTS: Among 300 participants, antibiotic use–related problems (ABURPs) were found in 69.3% of the study participants. The direct total cost attributed to these problems was approximated to a minimum of 2230.15 US$. Independent predictors for antibiotic use–related problems were: indication for antibiotic use like: use of antibiotic for prophylaxis; p < 0.0001, antibiotic use for both therapeutic & prophylaxis; p < 0.0001, CDC wound class I and II; p = 0.016 and; p = 0.002 respectively, overall poly-pharmacy and greater than 2 antibiotic exposure during hospital stay; p = 0.019and p = 0.006 respectively and hospital stay for ≥21 days; p = 0.007. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of antibiotic use-related problems was high and resulted in extra cost. Antibiotic use for prophylaxis, prophylaxis, and treatment, poly-pharmacy, greater than 2 antibiotic exposures during the hospital stay, CDC wound class I and II, and duration of hospital stay of ≥ 21 days was found to be independent predictors of antibiotic use–related problems.