Antibiotics usage in infants during the first 18 months of life in Benin: a population-based cohort study

Data centered on antibiotics usage and their determinants in African pediatric populations are limited. In order to define the determinants of antibiotics prescriptions (ABPr), we analyzed the data of a birth cohort in Benin. From 2007 to 2009, 538 infants were followed from birth to 18 months in three different health centers. The following determinants were assessed: infants’ clinical findings at consultations, mothers’ and children’s characteristics at birth, and health parameters recorded at scheduled follow-up of general health parameters. Multilevel logistic models were performed for analysis. Among the 4394 consultations, fever represented 53.7 % of consultations, 64.1 % of which were non-malarial fevers. Antibiotics were prescribed during 44.2 % of the consultations and the proportion of ABPr differed significantly among health centers (p < 10⁻³). Nearly 40 % of ABPr were related to children without fever. During the first semester of life, the percentage of ABPr was twice lower than after (27.4 vs. 54.7, p < 10⁻³). Respiratory and enteric symptoms were positively associated with ABPr (p < 10⁻³). Malaria was significantly associated with a lower ABPr after the first semester [odds ratio (OR) = 0.55, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.44–0.67, p < 10⁻³]. No maternal and child at-birth characteristics were associated with ABPr. ABPr was positively associated with a low breastfeeding score (p < 10⁻³). Studies on the rational use of antibiotics in this population should give priority to children more than 6 months of age, without malaria, and with respiratory and/or enteric symptoms. Our data also advocate for studies specifically designed to assess and improve healthcare providers’ compliance to guidelines on antibiotics usage.