title: [Antibiotic consumption at Antananarivo University Hospital: prevalence and strategic challenges].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Very few studies have been conducted on antibiotic consumption in Madagascar. The objective of this study was to describe antibiotic consumption in a tertiary university hospital in Antananarivo, Madagascar to more clearly define good antibiotic use strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A one-day prevalence survey was conducted on 5 April 2011 in the 339-bed Befelatanana Hospital with a bed occupation rate of 65.5%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of antibiotic therapy among the 222 patients hospitalised on the day of the survey was 57.2%. Almost one half (49.6%) of patients received a combination of at least two antibiotics. The classes of antibiotics most commonly prescribed were beta-lactam antibiotics (55.3%), imidazoles (14.9%), aminoglycosides (14.9%), quinolones (7.9%) and macrolides with 7% of prescriptions. Penicillins accounted for 55.5% of all beta-lactam antibiotic prescriptions, followed by third-generation cephalosporins. Children under the age of 14 years (p<0.019) and patients with invasive devices (p<10(-6)) received more antibiotics. Antibiotic prescription in the Emergency Room–Intensive Care Unit was significantly higher than in the other wards (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high rate of antibiotic use was observed in Befelatanana University Hospital. Beta-lactam antibiotics were the agents most commonly prescribed and the Emergency Room–Intensive Care Unit was the leading antibiotic prescriber. It is essential to set up a good antibiotic use policy.
authors.forename: Fidiniaina Mamy
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Randriatsarafara
authors.forename: Jaona
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ralamboson
authors.forename: Rivo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rakotoarivelo
authors.forename: Antso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raherinandrasana
authors.forename: Rado
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andrianasolo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008270:Madagascar; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents