Factors influencing receipt of an antibiotic prescription among insured patients in Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: There are limited data on factors influencing antibiotic prescription among insured patients. We assessed for correlates of an antibiotic prescription among insured patients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the National Health Insurance Fund offices, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. DATA SOURCE: We captured data from the claim forms, containing inpatient and outpatient treatment information for insured patients, for the month of September 2019. OUTCOME VARIABLE: Receipt of an antibiotic prescription. EXPOSURE VARIABLES: Age, sex, diagnosis, prescriber qualification, health facility level, ownership and department were exposure variables. Predictors of receipt of an antibiotic prescription were determined by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 993 analysed patients, the mean (±SD) age was 36.3 (±23.2) years, 581 (58.5%) were females and 535 (53.9%) were adults. The prevalence of antibiotic prescription was 46.4% (95% CI 42.8% to 50.0%). Strong predictors of an antibiotic prescription were being a child (1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.2); acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) of multiple and unspecified sites (1.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.4); chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis (4.0, 95% CI 2.4 to 6.4); being attended by a clinical officer (1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.0); attending a health centre (1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0); attending a public facility (1.2, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.4) and visiting an inpatient department (2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.4). CONCLUSIONS: Among insured patients, being a child, acute URTI, being attended by a clinical officer or dental therapist, being attended by an assistant medical/dental officer, attending a health centre or a district hospital, attending a public health facility and visiting an inpatient department predicted an antibiotic prescription. Incorporation of these findings in revisions or establishment of targeted antimicrobial stewardship programmes may lead to better antibiotic prescribing practices that are critical for combating antibiotic resistance.