Impact of COVID-19 on Antibiotic Prescribing Pattern in Private Clinics in Iraq: An Exploratory Retrospective Study
DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.12.03.Art031
Authors : Malath Azeez Al-Saadi, Anas Al-Yasiry
Abstract:
Antibiotics are mandatory for the
prevention and treatment of bacterial infection; their rational prescription
would reduce bacterial resistance and new drug requirement. The COVID-19
pandemic affects antibiotic prescribing patterns worldwide in a manner that
requires investigation. To Assess antibiotic prescription patterns for COVID-19
infected patients in private clinics for improving antibiotic stewardship. A
retrospective exploratory study in which 87 patients’ documents were reviewed
for the following: COVID-19 infection, type of infection, recurrence of
infection, state of vaccination, other systemic diseases, and treatment of
infection (prescribed by physician) with full details about antibiotic type.
Data were statistically related according to significance level p≤0.05. 64.4 %
of the patients were female. Seventy percent of the patients were vaccinated
against corona virus and completed their vaccine regimen. Seventy-three percent
of the patients were mildly infected, and there was no significant difference
between antibiotic prescription and infection severity with increased multiple
antibiotic prescription pattern. A significant relationship between infection
severity and patients’ history of systemic diseases was found with significant
empiric antibiotic prescription in 33.3% of patients prescribed with
azithromycin with or without ceftriaxone. Significant irrational empiric
antibiotic prescriptions for outpatients with COVID-19
regardless of infection severity. Azithromycin found predominant.
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