Pattern of Antibiotic Use and Economic Impact among Hospitalized Iranian Hajj Pilgrims
نویسندگان
1 Department of Anesthesiology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Research Center for Emergency and Disaster Resilience, Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran
3 Iranian Red Crescent Society, Haj Medical Center, Tehran, Iran
4 Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Al anbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran
5 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorrama-bad, Iran
6 English Language Department, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
7 Razi Educational and Therapeutic Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
8 Hasheminejad Kidney Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
9 Department of Health Economics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
10 Department of Emergency Medicine, Metabolic Disease Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
11 Research Center for Emergency and Disaster Resilience, Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran
12 Iranian Red Crescent Society, Haj Medical Center, Tehran, Iran
13 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
doi
10.22034/ircmj.2024.199679چکیده
Background and Objectives: The Hajj, a religious pilgrimage attracting millions of muslims from various countries to Saudi Arabia, presents unique public health challenges. The congregation of diverse individuals in close quarters, such as tents, heightens the risk of infections and outbreaks. One significant concern is antibiotic consumption, which requires careful study to prevent bacterial resistance—a major global public health issue. Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional and quantitative descriptive research method, focusing on Hajj pilgrims hospitalized in 2023. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from patients’ physical records, and the pattern of antibiotic prescription was analyzed accordingly. Data were analyzed through SPSS v. 26 software. Results: Of the 793 hospitalized patients, 85.6% were administered antibiotics. The patient group comprised 439 men (55.4%) and 354 women (44.6%), averaging 61.36 years. Among 15 diagnostic categories, infectious and cardiovascular diseases were the most frequently reported. Ceftriaxone and azithromycin emerged as the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for the pilgrims. Conclusion: The study revealed that over a quarter of Hajj pilgrims were administered antibiotics during hospitalization, raising concerns about potential misuse and subsequent antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct studies correlating antibiotic use with documented diagnoses to assess the clinical appropriateness of antimicrobial prescriptions.
