Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42271497›Full record

SynthesisSystematic reviews2026

National and regional challenges of antibiotic prescribing patterns in pediatric populations across Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sancho Pedro Xavier, Ana Raquel Ernesto Manuel Gotine, Melsequisete Daniel Vasco, Nerys Wendy Antonieta Alfane, Nelson Domingos Cote, Audêncio Victor

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Systematic reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Sancho Pedro XavierSchool of Public Health, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, São Paulo, 01246904, Brazil. sanchoxavierxavier@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0001-9493-4098
Ana Raquel Ernesto Manuel GotineSchool of Public Health, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, São Paulo, 01246904, Brazil.
Melsequisete Daniel VascoInstitute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, R. Basílio da Gama S/N, Canela, Salvador, BA, 40110-040, Brazil.
Nerys Wendy Antonieta AlfaneSchool of Public Health, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, São Paulo, 01246904, Brazil.
Nelson Domingos CoteFaculty of Medicine of Bahia, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Dr. Augusto Viana, S/N - Canela, Salvador, BA, 40301-155, Brazil.
Audêncio VictorSchool of Public Health, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, São Paulo, 01246904, Brazil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExcessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics represents a major concern directly associated with the emergence of resistant microorganisms, posing a global public health threat. Inappropriate prescribing patterns are particularly frequent in pediatric populations, leading to significant clinical and epidemiological consequences. Improving the quality of antibiotic prescribing is a rational and necessary strategy to strengthen the AWaRe framework (Access, Watch, and Reserve), proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to guide rational antibiotic use. This study aimed to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis on antibiotic prescribing patterns in pediatric patients across Africa.

methodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, SciElo, Scopus, Web of Science, and the WHO Global Index Medicus on 23 May 2025. Eligible studies reported antibiotic prescribing patterns among pediatric patients in Africa, including types of prescribed antibiotics, route of administration, and AWaRe classification. Methodological quality was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) tools. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis based on the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation.

resultsThe pooled prevalence of antibiotic prescribing among pediatric patients in Africa was 76.0% (95% CI, 68.0-82.0; I

conclusionsThese findings provide a descriptive overview of antibiotic prescribing patterns among pediatric patients in Africa. Given the variability across studies, the results underscore the importance of strengthening antimicrobial stewardship initiatives and promoting the rational use of antibiotics, particularly within the AWaRe framework, to support efforts aimed at mitigating antimicrobial resistance.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsInappropriate PrescribingPractice Patterns, Physicians'AfricaChildHumansAnti-Bacterial AgentsAfricaAntibiotic prescribingAntimicrobial resistanceAWaReMeta-analysisPediatricsSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42271497
PMCPMC13480107

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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.