Antibiotic Use Patterns at Jimma Medical Center in Southwest Ethiopia: A Call for Local Antibiogram-Guided Prescription

<b>Background:</b> The discovery of antibiotics revolutionized healthcare by significantly reducing morbidity and mortality. However, excessive and inappropriate use has led to a global surge in antimicrobial resistance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic use patterns among inpatients at Jimma Medical Center (JMC) in Southwest Ethiopia. <b>Methods:</b> A longitudinal observational study was conducted in February and March 2019 at JMC, focusing on patients admitted for over 24 h who received antibiotics. Data on patient demographics, clinical indications, and antibiotics prescribed were systematically collected. Antibiotic consumption rates were measured as days of therapy (DOTs) per 100 patient-days, and utilization was classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) AWaRe (Access, Watch, and Reserve) framework. <b>Results:</b> A total of 384 inpatients were included, with a male predominance (53.9%) and a median age of 24 years (IQR: 5-37). In total, 634 antibiotic regimens were prescribed. According to the WHO AWaRe classification, 48.3% (306/634) were "Access" and 51.7% (328/634) were "Watch" antibiotics. Patients were treated with antibiotics for a median duration of 4 days (IQR: 2-7), leading to a total of 2880 days of antibiotic therapy. Ceftriaxone was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic, with a usage rate of 44.65 DOTs per 100 patient-days. Substantial variability was observed in empirical antibiotic regimens among treating physicians and across wards. Culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) were performed for only 4.2% of patients, and none of the treatments were modified based on susceptibility data. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study highlights critical issues in antibiotic prescribing at JMC, including over-reliance on "Watch" antibiotics, predominantly ceftriaxone, limited use of AST results, and deviations from standard treatment guidelines. Addressing these challenges requires implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs, developing evidence-based local treatment guidelines, and strengthening and encouraging the use of microbiology services to improve rational antibiotic use.