Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42388823›Full record

ReviewExploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy2026

Inappropriate antibiotic utilization in hospitalized patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tekletsadik Tekleslassie Alemayehu, Eskedar Dires Gebremeskel, Bezawit Dereje Tilahun, Tadele Mesfin Demelash, Tesfaye Birhanu Abebe, Seblewengel Hagos Tadesse, Gemechis Mekonnen Aga, Loza Getachew Chane, Mulat Alemu Beshada, Surafel Zimarge Abeje and 5 more

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Review in Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy, 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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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Tekletsadik Tekleslassie AlemayehuDepartment of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Eskedar Dires GebremeskelDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Bezawit Dereje TilahunSchool of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Tadele Mesfin DemelashSchool of Medicine, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia.
Tesfaye Birhanu AbebeSchool of Medicine, College of Health Science, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia.
Seblewengel Hagos TadesseDepartment of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gemechis Mekonnen AgaSchool of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Loza Getachew ChaneSchool of Medicine, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia.
Mulat Alemu BeshadaSchool of Medicine, College of Health Science, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia.
Surafel Zimarge AbejeSchool of Medicine, College of Health Science, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia.
Lydia Mekonen GeremewSchool of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gelgela Gadisa AtomsaSchool of Medicine, College of Health Science, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia.
Mastewal Mulugeta WakeroSchool of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Abaynesh Fentahun BekaluDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gebremariam Wulie GeremewDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Inappropriate antibiotic use is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance and adverse clinical outcomes. Evidence on its pooled prevalence and determinants among hospitalized patients in Ethiopia remains scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic use and associated factors among hospitalized patients in Ethiopia. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was reported in accordance with the PRISMA statement and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261379594). A comprehensive literature search was conducted from December 5 and December 19, 2025. Electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and PsycINFO were systematically searched. In addition, supplementary platforms and grey literature sources including Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and HINARI were explored to identify relevant studies. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Stata version 14.0. A random-effects model was employed to estimate the pooled prevalence, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I Results: Twelve primary studies were included. The pooled prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic use among hospitalized patients in Ethiopia was estimated at 40.50% (95% CI: 24.88-56.16). However, this estimate should be interpreted with caution due to the very high heterogeneity observed across studies (I Conclusion: Inappropriate antibiotic use among hospitalized patients in Ethiopia appears to be high and may be associated with empirical prescribing, limited diagnostic confirmation, comorbidities, and polypharmacy. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship, and adherence to treatment guidelines is urgently needed.

Indexed as

Antibiotic useEthiopiaInappropriate prescribingInpatientsMeta-analysisSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42388823
PMCPMC13320460

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