Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem that results in high morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is a major driver of AMR. This study aimed to evaluate the rate and quality of antimicrobial prescription and use at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), a tertiary-referral teaching hospital. Methodology: A point prevalence survey (PPS) of antimicrobial prescription was conducted using the Global PPS tool, including a healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) module. Results: On the day of the PPS, 39.3% (145/369) of inpatients were prescribed at least one antimicrobial. Out of the 259 prescribed antimicrobials, 232 (89.6%) were antibacterials, of which 151 (65.1%) belonged to the watch group of the WHO AWaRe classification. The top three antibiotics prescribed were cefotaxime (87; 37.5%), parenteral metronidazole (31; 13.4%), and meropenem (23; 9.9%). Stop or review dates for the prescribed antimicrobials were documented in 27/259 prescriptions (10.4%). Surgical prophylaxis (SP) was prescribed for longer than one day in 83.3% of 61 patients. Samples for culture were sent for 27.1% (63/232) of all the patients prescribed antibiotics. Conclusion: This PPS demonstrates multiple indicators of the poor use of antimicrobials, including the high prevalence usage of watch antibiotics and prolonged surgical prophylaxis and other poor-quality indicators. Thus, there is an urgent need for intervention to improve antimicrobial stewardship.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is one of the major drivers of the AMR pandemic. This study aims to evaluate the rate and quality of antimicrobial prescription and use at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, a tertiary referral and teaching hospital. A point prevalence survey (PPS) of antimicrobial prescription was conducted using the Global PPS tool, including the healthcare-acquired infections (HAI)-module. On the day of PPS, 39.3% (145/369) of the patients were prescribed at least one antimicrobial. Out of 259 prescribed antimicrobials, 232 (89.6%) were antibacterials of which 151 (65.1%) belonged to the Watch-group of the WHO AWaRe classification. Top three antibiotics prescribed were cefotaxime (87; 37.5%), parenteral metronidazole (31; 13.4%); and meropenem (23; 9.9%). Stop/review of the prescribed antimicrobials was documented in 27/259 prescriptions (10.4%). Surgical prophylaxis (SP) was prescribed for more than one day in 83.3% of 61. Samples for culture were sent for 27.1% (63/232) of all prescribed antibiotics. This PPS showed a high usage of Watch antibiotics, prolonged surgical prophylaxis and other poor-quality indicators. Therefore, there is an urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship interventions.