First point prevalence survey of neonatal and pediatric antibiotic prescribing in a secondary care hospital in Macedonia

Antibiotic resistance program was developed by Macedonian Ministry of Health in order to improve and expand surveillance of antibiotic use and resistance. As a part of Antibiotic Resistance and Prescribing in European Children or ARPEC study, a point prevalence survey was conducted at General Hospital "Borka Taleski" in Prilep. To present the data from the first point prevalence survey of neonatal and pediatric antibiotic prescribing in secondary care hospital in Macedonia, describe the current antimicrobial prescribing practices at this institution and gather baseline data for future interventions to improve the antimicrobial use. A point prevalence survey was conducted within the pediatric and neonatal departments. Twenty three patients were surveyed: 12 in the pediatric department and 11 in the neonatal unit. 92% of pediatric patients were treated with antibiotics compared with an average of 36% in pediatric departments in other European countries (p < 0.05). 18% of hospitalized neonates were treated with antibiotic compared with 8% in other European neonatal departments (p < 0.05). Assessment of current anti- biotic use in general hospitals is very important for further work on antibiotic prescribing.