Antibiotic Usage in Patients Having Undergone Caesarean Section: A Three-Level Study in Benin

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a major global health threat, driven by widespread antibiotic use and misuse.
• Low-income countries face significant challenges with antibiotic misuse, impacting both individual and public health.
• Caesarean sections are a common surgical procedure, often involving antibiotic use for prophylaxis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess antibiotic utilization patterns in pregnant women undergoing caesarean sections in Beninese hospitals.
• To evaluate the appropriateness of antibiotic use across antenatal, intraoperative, and postpartum periods.
• To identify areas of improper antibiotic administration and their implications for quality of care.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study was conducted in four Beninese hospitals.
• 141 women undergoing caesarean sections were included in the study.
• Antibiotic use was assessed at antenatal, intraoperative, and postpartum stages.

Main Results:

• 56.7% of women used antibiotics, with 71.3% taking more than one.
• Optimal antibiotic prophylaxis was administered to only 31.2% of women.
• Improper antibiotic use, including self-administration and postpartum overuse, was prevalent across all studied levels.

Conclusions:

• Antibiotic use during caesarean sections in Benin is frequently improper, characterized by polypharmacy, suboptimal prophylaxis, and postpartum overuse.
• The findings highlight a poor quality of care regarding antibiotic management in pregnancy.
• A national policy is crucial to regulate antibiotic use among the public and healthcare professionals to combat resistance.