Celda Tiroyakgosi1, Matshediso Matome2, Emily Summers3, Yohana Mashalla4, Bene Anand Paramadhas5,6, Sajini Souda7, Brighid Malone8, Fatima Sinkala9, Joyce Kgatlwane10, Brian Godman11,12,13, Keneilwe Mmopi4, Amos Massele4. 1. a Ministry of Health and Wellness , Nelson Mandela Drive , Gaborone , Botswana. 2. b Managed Care, AFA, Showgrounds Office Park , Gaborone , Botswana. 3. c British High Commission , Gaborone , Botswana. 4. d Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , University of Botswana , Gaborone , Botswana. 5. e Department of Pharmacy , Nyangabgwe Hospital , Francistown , Botswana. 6. f College of Graduate Studies , University of South Africa , Pretoria , South Africa. 7. g Department of Pathology , University of Botswana , Gaborone , Botswana. 8. h Bokamoso Private Hospital , Mmopane , Botswana. 9. i Department of Pharmacy , Letsholathebe II memorial hospital , Maun , Botswana. 10. j School of Pharmacy , University of Botswana , Gaborone , Botswana. 11. k Division of Clinical Pharmacology , Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge , Huddinge , Sweden. 12. l Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences , University of Strathclyde , Glasgow , UK. 13. m Health Economics Centre , Liverpool University Management School , Liverpool , UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are ongoing initiatives in Botswana to enhance appropriate antibiotic use. The objective of this meeting was to discuss ongoing initiatives in Botswana since February 2016 to improve antibiotic use. Subsequently, use the findings to refine national and local action plans. METHOD: Presentation and review of ongoing initiatives. RESULTS: There was a high rate of antibiotic prescribing among ambulatory care patients in the public sector (42.7%) as well as for patients with upper respiratory tract infections in the private sector (72.9%). Prophylactic antibiotics were given to 73.3% of surgical patients to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) in a leading tertiary hospital in Botswana; however, SSIs at 9% of patients can be reduced further with better timing of antibiotic prophylaxis. To date, 711 patients have been enrolled into the national point prevalence study. Highlighted concerns included limited ordering and use of sensitivity tests despite functional laboratories, as well as concerns with missed doses of antibiotics across most hospitals. CONCLUSION: A number of issues and concerns regarding antibiotic use were highlighted. Activities are ongoing across sectors to address identified concerns.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are ongoing initiatives in Botswana to enhance appropriate antibiotic use. The objective of this meeting was to discuss ongoing initiatives in Botswana since February 2016 to improve antibiotic use. Subsequently, use the findings to refine national and local action plans. METHOD: Presentation and review of ongoing initiatives. RESULTS: There was a high rate of antibiotic prescribing among ambulatory care patients in the public sector (42.7%) as well as for patients with upper respiratory tract infections in the private sector (72.9%). Prophylactic antibiotics were given to 73.3% of surgical patients to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) in a leading tertiary hospital in Botswana; however, SSIs at 9% of patients can be reduced further with better timing of antibiotic prophylaxis. To date, 711 patients have been enrolled into the national point prevalence study. Highlighted concerns included limited ordering and use of sensitivity tests despite functional laboratories, as well as concerns with missed doses of antibiotics across most hospitals. CONCLUSION: A number of issues and concerns regarding antibiotic use were highlighted. Activities are ongoing across sectors to address identified concerns.