Table 2

Commonly prescribed antibiotics at BMH and their respective AWaRe categorisation (n=137)

RankAWaRe categoriesATC codeAntibiotics prescribedRoAN (%)
1AccessJ01XD01Metronidazole 200 mg*O25 (18.25)
2WatchJ01DD04Ceftriaxone 1000 mgP20 (14.60)
3AccessJ01CR02Amoxicillin–beta-lactamase inhibitor 625 mg, 375 mg, 156.25 mg/5mLs, 228 mg/5mLs*O18 (13.14)
4AccessJ01CA51Ampicillin/cloxacillin 500 mg, 250 mg/5mLsO14 (10.22)
5AccessFlucloxacillin–amoxicillin 500 mgO13 (9.49)
6AccessJ01XD01Metronidazole 500 mg*P11 (8.03)
7WatchJ01FA10Azithromycin 250 mg, 500 mgO8 (5.84)
8WatchJ01MA02Ciprofloxacin 500 mg*O7 (5.11)
9WatchJ01FA09Clarithromycin 500 mgO6 (4.38)
10Not recommendedNorfloxacin/tinidazoleO5 (3.65)
11AccessJ01XE01Nitrofurantoin 100 mgO2 (1.46)
12AccessJ01CR02Amoxicillin–beta-lactamase inhibitor 1200 mg*P1 (0.73)
13AccessJ01DB01Cephalexin 250 mg, 500 mgO1 (0.73)
14AccessJ01AA02Doxycycline 100 mgO1 (0.73)
15AccessJ01CE02Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250 mgO1 (0.73)
16WatchJ01MA02Ciprofloxacin 500 mg*P1 (0.73)
17WatchJ01GB03Gentamycin 40 mg/1 mLP1 (0.73)
18ReserveJ01DH02Meropenem 1000 mgP1 (0.73)
19ReserveJ01FF01Clindamycin 150 mgO1 (0.73)
AWaRe categorisation of antibiotics (16 antibiotics molecules, denominator)
1Access (A)8 (50.00)
2Watch (W)5 (32.25)
3Reserve (R)2 (12.50)
4Not recommended1 (6.25)
  • The AWaRe categorisation is based on the Standard Treatment Guideline of the Tanzania Mainland.

  • *Repeated antibiotic items are counted once since they are the same molecule.

  • ATC, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical; AWaRe, Access, Watch and Reserve; BMH, Benjamin Mkapa Zonal Referral Hospital; N, number of total antibiotic items from all prescriptions surveyed; O, orally; P, parenteral; RoA, route of administration.