Abstract
Background Studies evaluating the patterns of antibiotic consumption are becoming increasingly necessary as
a result of the increased use of antibiotics and development of antibiotic resistance globally. This study aimed to
evaluate the use of antibiotics in in terms of both quantity and quality at the largest surgical hospital in the north of
the West Bank, Palestine.
Methods An observational retrospective study with a total population sampling method was conducted to
collect data from the inpatients of the orthopedic departments of a large governmental hospital in the northern
West Bank, Palestine. The data were collected from patients’ files and evaluated using the anatomical therapeutic
chemical and defined daily dose (ATC/DDD) methodology, and the drug utilization 90% (DU90%) index. The ATC/DDD
methodology, designed by the World Health Organization (WHO), as a well-trusted and standardized tool that allows
measuring and comparing antibiotic utilization across different contexts. Antibiotic prescriptions were classified using
the World Health Organization Access, Watch and Reserve classification (WHO AWaRe).
Results Of the 896 patients who were admitted to the hospital in the year 2020 and included in the study, 61.9%
were males, and 38.1% were females. The percentage of patients who received antibiotics was 97.0%, and the overall
antibiotic usage was 107.91 DDD/100 bed days. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was cefazolin (50.30
DDD/100 bed days), followed by gentamicin (24.15 DDD/100 bed days) and ceftriaxone (17.35 DDD/100 bed days).
The DU90% segment comprised four different agents. Classification of antibiotics according to the WHO AWaRe
policy revealed that 75.9% of antibiotics were prescribed from the access list.
Conclusion This study comes as part of the efforts exerted to combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance
in Palestine. Our results showed that the consumption of antibacterial agents in the orthopedic unit at a large
governmental hospital in Palestine was relatively high. The results of this study provide valuable insights for the
decision-makers to create policies aimed at regulating antibiotic prescriptions. This study also aims to provide a

Title

BMC Infectious Diseases

Publisher

Mohammad M Jaber

Publisher Country

United Kingdom

Publication Type

Prtinted only

Volume

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Year

2024

Pages

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