Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40487188›Full record

ReviewJAC-antimicrobial resistance2025

Antibiotic use without prescription among children aged under 5 years in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Segenet Zewdie, Assefa Andargie Kassa, Mekonen Melkie Bizuneh, Tegenu Chanie Tesfaye, Ashagrachew Tewabe Yayehrad

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in JAC-antimicrobial resistance, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Segenet ZewdieDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Science, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia.
Assefa Andargie KassaDepartment of Epidemiology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia.
Mekonen Melkie BizunehDepartment of Reproductive Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Tegenu Chanie TesfayeDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Ashagrachew Tewabe YayehradDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance as a result of inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the top global public health threats. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence of antibiotic use without prescription among children aged under 5 years in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: To identify primary studies a comprehensive search of databases was conducted from PubMed, Scopus and HINARI. Observational studies conducted among children ≤5 years old and published in the English language were included. After screening, data were extracted using a checklist. Heterogeneity was assessed using forest plots, Cochran's Findings: The review was conducted of 12 cross-sectional studies with a combined sample size of 8773 participants. The pooled prevalence of antibiotic use without prescription among under-5 children in LMICs was 33.27% (95% CI, 27.37%-39.18%; Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of antibiotic use without prescription among under-5 children in LMICs is high. This implies that the WHO in collaboration with the nations should develop different strategies to improve the regulatory system in LMICs and prevent the use of antibiotics without prescription among under-5 children.

Identifiers

PMID40487188
PMCPMC12142460

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.