Infection Prevalence at a Tertiary Hospital in Hail, Saudi Arabia: A Single-Center Study to Identify Strategies to Improve Antibiotic Usage

Abstract

Objective

Identifying the burden of disease and the condition of the Saudi population is in high demand from both a surveillance and analytical standpoint. The objective of this study was to determine the most prevalent infections among hospitalized patients (both community-acquired and hospital-acquired), the antibiotics prescribing pattern, and their relationship with patient characteristics like age and gender.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted comprising 2646 patients with infectious diseases or complications admitted to a tertiary hospital in the Hail region of Saudi Arabia. A standardized form was used to collect information from patient’s medical records. Demographic data such as age, gender, prescribed antibiotics, and culture-sensitivity tests were included in the study.

Results

Males represented about two-thirds (66.5%, n = 1760) of the patients. Most patients (45.9%) who suffered from infectious diseases were between the ages of 20 and 39. The most prevalent infectious ailment was respiratory tract infection (17.65%, n = 467). Furthermore, the most common multiple infectious diseases were gallbladder calculi with cholecystitis (40.3%, n = 69). Similarly, COVID-19 had the greatest impact on people over 60. Beta-lactam antibiotics were the most commonly prescribed (37.6%), followed by fluoroquinolones (26.26%) and macrolides (13.45%). But performing culture sensitivity tests were rather uncommon (3.8%, n = 101). For multiple infections, beta-lactam antibiotics (such as amoxicillin and cefuroxime) were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics (2.26%, n = 60), followed by macrolides (such as azithromycin and Clindamycin) and fluoroquinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin).

Conclusion

Respiratory tract infections are the most prevalent infectious disease among hospital patients, who are primarily in their 20s. The frequency of performing culture tests is low. Therefore, it is important to promote culture sensitivity testing in order to support the prudent use of antibiotics. Guidelines for anti-microbial stewardship programs are also highly recommended.

Keywords:

• antibiotics
• infections
• prescribing pattern
• Hail region
• Saudi Arabia

Data Sharing Statement

Available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available to maintain privacy and adhere to the guidelines of the ethics protocol.

Ethical Approval

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the Institutional Review Board (IRB), approved the study, General Directorate of Health Affairs, Hail region (Protocol number H-08-L-074). The details and information gathered are kept confidential. The ethics committee approved our study stating no need for consent from participants since it is a retrospective data analysis.

Acknowledgments

Authors extend their appreciation to the project fund from the Research Deanship in the University of Ha’il – Saudi Arabia through project number BA-23 004.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research has been funded by Scientific Research Deanship at the University of Ha’il, Saudi Arabia, through project number BA-23 004.