Hospital Prescribing Patterns of Antibiotics In Zambia Using the WHO Prescribing Indicators Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings and Implications

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health problem that is fuelled by the inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics, especially those from the ‘watch’ and ‘reserve’ antibiotic lists. The irrational prescribing of antibiotics is particularly prevalent in developing countries, including Zambia. Consequently, there is a need to better understand prescribing patterns across sectors in Zambia as a basis for future interventions. This study evaluated the prescribing patterns of antibiotics using the WHO prescribing indicators alongside the ‘access,watch and reserve’ (AWaRe) classification system post-COVID pandemic at a faith-based hospital in Zambia.