Trends in antibiotic consumption in the Namibian Public Health Sector 2010-2016

Abstract

Background Antibiotic resistance is a phenomenon that occurs naturally and is accelerated by use. There have been no studies looking at trends in antibiotic consumption in the public health sector in Namibia, which provides services to 85% of the population. Aim This study described the pattern of antibiotic consumption in the Namibian public health sector based on distribution of antibiotics from Central Medical Stores (CMS) to the 13 regions in the country. Methodology Antibiotic consumption data from distribution records at the Central Medical Store (CMS), public health sector wholesaler, between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016 was collated and analysed to describe trends and usage patterns in the public health sector of Namibia. For the purpose of this study DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID) was used as an indicator so as to be comparable with previously conducted studies. DIDs provide information about the proportion of the selected population using a particular medicine per day. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended anatomical therapeutic classification (ATC)/daily defined dose (DDD) methodology be used to analyse the data and evaluate the consumption. Data was presented using stacked bar charts to demonstrate the variation in consumption by ATC classes in each region and over time.