Antibiotic use in Namibia: prescriber practices for common community infections

Abstract

Background: Despite the threat of resistance, the use of antibiotics globally is high and continues to increase. Much of this use is attributed to overprescribing by physicians. The objective of this study was to assess doctors’ management of common community-acquired infections in Namibia.Methodology: A cross-sectional survey based on a web-based self-administered questionnaire was conducted. Doctors belonging to the local professional associations comprised the study population. Data were collected from March to July 2014.Results: A 10% (n = 44) response rate was achieved. Respondents were from across the country and practised mainly in the private health sector. Both awareness of local antimicrobial sensitivity rates and ownership of national Standard Treatment Guidelines were poor (20% and 31% respectively). Common practice in managing common infections, with the exception of chronic otitis media, cystitis and pyelonephritis, is to treat empirically. The reported first-line antibiotics of choice were ...