Osu G Igben¹ , Matthew O Ojezele¹, Emuesiri Umukoro², Michael A Kadiri³, Faith B Friday¹, Celestine O Akpovwre¹

¹Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka,; ²Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University,; ³Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Edo State University, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria.

For correspondence:-  Osu Igben   Email: igbenleader@gmail.com   Tel:09069120638

Received: 9 August 2025        Accepted: 11 April 2026        Published: 30 April 2026

Citation: Igben OG, Ojezele MO, Umukoro E, Kadiri MA, Friday FB, Akpovwre CO. Antimicrobial stewardship and survey of multidrug resistant bacteria in selected healthcare facilities in Delta State, Nigeria. Trop J Pharm Res 2026; 25(4):473-483 doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v25i4.4

© 2026 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate antimicrobial stewardship programs and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns among patients of Eku Baptist Government Hospital and Central Hospital, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria towards improving antibiotic usage and patient outcomes. Methods: Relevant institutional review boards gave ethical approval. Questionnaires were delivered to 26 healthcare professionals working in Eku Baptist Government Hospital and 36 professionals in Central Hospital, Warri, to determine their knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). Demographics, clinical history, antimicrobial use, laboratory results, and treatment outcomes of 306 cases of Eku Baptist Government Hospital and 200 cases of Warri Central Hospital were assessed through a retrospective review of 506 case notes, laboratory reports and pharmacy records of 2021 – 2024. Results: Both Hospitals reported limited resources (~72 % inadequate) and low ASP awareness (28 - 33 %). There was poor training (24 - 28 %), particularly by nurses in both Hospitals. The use of broad spectrum antimicrobials such as metronidazole and ceftriaxone was frequently prescribed in both Hospitals, as a result of empirical prescribing, due to the lack of diagnostic ability. Poor practices in infection control and junior workforce (72.6 % had less than 3 years of experience) worsen AMR issues. Conclusion: There are severe gaps in antimicrobial stewardship in these hospitals. The AMR risks in resource-limited environments require strengthened ASPs that are achieved by resource allocation, standardized protocols, and continuous training.

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Stewardship, Broad-spectrum antibiotics, Training, Diagnostics

Impact Factor
Thompson Reuters (ISI): 0.6 (2023)
H-5 index (Google Scholar): 49 (2023)