A longitudinal point prevalence survey of antimicrobial use and resistance in tertiary care hospitals in Kerman: results from the national Iranian multicenter point prevalence survey of antimicrobials in 2021

The Global Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) was conducted in three tertiary care hospitals in Kerman, Iran, to evaluate antimicrobial consumption patterns. The study found that antimicrobial consumption in adult wards was 65.6% in Afzalipour Hospital, 42.3% in Shafa Hospital, and 78.7% in Bahonar Hospital. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic classes were non-penicillin beta-lactams, macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramins. The study highlights the urgent need for interventions to promote rational antibiotic use.