Antibiotic Prescription in Some Healthcare Facilities in Tripoli, Libya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54361/LJMR.20.3.105Keywords:
Antibiotic prescribing, Antimicrobial resistance, Hospital-acquired infections, Carbapenems, Methicillin-resistant StaAbstract
Background: Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in healthcare settings contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and healthcare-associated infections, and understanding current practices among healthcare professionals is essential for developing effective stewardship strategies. This study aimed to assess antibiotic prescribing practices, knowledge of AMR, infection control measures, and the use of laboratory tests among healthcare personnel in four of the largest hospitals in Tripoli, Libya Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from 20 June to 20 August 2025 among 200 healthcare professionals (50 per hospital) at Tripoli Children Hospital, Tripoli University Hospital, Abu Salim Trauma Hospital, and Tripoli Central Hospital. Data were collected with a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed descriptively using IBM SPSS version 26. Results: Practices varied between hospitals. Antibiotics were reported to be prescribed against a specific bacterium by 72% of respondents at Abu Salim Trauma Hospital, 66% at Tripoli Children Hospital, 62% at Tripoli University Hospital, and 32% at Tripoli Central Hospital. Tripoli Central Hospital reported the most conservative use of carbapenems, with 86% describing them as a last-resort option. A hospital antibiotic policy was reported by 94% of respondents at Tripoli University Hospital, 90% at Tripoli Central Hospital, and 64% at Abu Salim Trauma Hospital. For methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin was the antibiotic most often reported in three hospitals (56.8% to 58.0% of responses), whereas colistin was most often reported at Tripoli Children Hospital (62.8%). No inferential tests were performed, so between-hospital differences are descriptive. Conclusion: The findings indicate a need for standardized antibiotic stewardship programs, wider laboratory-guided prescribing, strict infection control, and consistent MRSA management protocols across hospitals to reduce antimicrobial resistance.
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