Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Gram-Negative Bacteria at Amhara Public Health Institute, Northwest Ethiopia: A Six-Year Retrospective Study
Background: The global rise of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria presents a major public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Limited antimicrobial resistance surveillance data in Ethiopia hampers evidence-based treatment and policy decisions.
Objective: This study assessed the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Gram-negative bacteria isolated over six years (2018–2024) at the Amhara Public Health Institute (APHI), Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: An institution-based retrospective study was conducted using archived microbiology laboratory data from January 2018 to December 2024. All culture-confirmed Gram-negative bacterial isolates with complete antimicrobial susceptibility test results were included. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method according to the CLSI guidelines. Data were analyzed SPSS version 26 software. Chi-square tests were used to assess the associations between outcome and demographic variables. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05.
Results: A total of 350 Gram-negative isolates were analyzed. Escherichia coli (29.4%, 95% CI: 24.6–34.2) and Klebsiella spp. (27.7%, 95% CI: 23.0–32.4) were the predominant isolates. Overall, 53.2% of isolates were classified as MDR. Highest resistance rates were observed against chloramphenicol (97.3%), sulfonamides (80.3%), and ampicillin (82.4%). The isolates showed the lowest resistance against Carbapenems (24.9%). Age (χ² = 106.69, p < 0.001) and sex (χ² = 12.86, p = 0.045) were significantly associated with multidrug resistance bacterial infection.
Conclusion: More than half of Gram-negative isolates were multidrug resistant in the study area. Strengthening AMR surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship programs, and routine culture-based diagnosis is urgently required.
Keywords
Authors
How to Cite
Download Citation
License
Copyright © 2025 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Similar Articles
- Amare Minyihun, Measho G /selassie, Yalemzewod Assefa, Ayal Debie, Getasew Amare, Willingness to Join Community-Based Health Insurance among Rural Households of Bugna District, Northeast Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 10 No. 1 (2020)
- Mebrate Dufera, Hans C.Aass , Nega Berhe , Beyene Petros , Berhanu Erko, Cytokine Response in Mono and Malaria-S. mansoni Co-Infected Individuals in Fincha Sugar Estate, Western Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 9 No. 1 (2019)
- Mezgebu Yitayal , Yemane Berhane, Alemayehu Worku, Yigzaw Kebede, Job Satisfaction of Health Extension Workers in West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)
- Judith P. Cheong-Leen, Abdulmenan Mohammednur, Abdulrahman Tune, Ashebir Nigussie, Afework Amiha, Alemu Girma, Gashaw Messele Messele, Benjamin d.Z. Silverman, Post-Operative Pain and Analgesia at the University of Gondar Hospital , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2012)
- Wossenseged Lemma, Hyraxes and Leishmaniasis in Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2008)
- Kassahun Desalegn, Takeshi Nishikawa, Afework Kassu, Andargachew Mulu, Gizachew Yismaw, Yeshambel Belyhun, Sisay Yifru, Fusao Ota, Level of Serum IgE during Atopy With and Without Intestinal Parasitic Infections in the University Of Gondar Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Mulu Slute, Getu Debalkie, Kindie Fentahun, Sebsebie Tadesse, Kassahun Alemu, Perception of Climate Change and Associated Factors among Rural Dwellers of Gondar Zuria District, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 9 No. 1 (2019)
- Abebe Muche, Edengenet Guday, Mueez Abraha, Yared Asmare, Ayanaw Worku, The Existence of Accessory Renal Arteries in a Male Cadaver in Ethiopia: A Case Report , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)
- Destaw Fetene Teshome, Shitaye Alemu Balcha, Tadesse Awoke Ayele, Asmamaw Atnafu, Kassahun Alemu Gelaye, The role of health extension workers in combating hypertension in Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 14 No. 1 (2024)
- Bethelehem Bahiru , Solomon Mekonnen, Abayneh Girma, Melaku Kindie , The Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus among Inmates at Kality Federal Prison, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Gizeaddis Belay Mersha, Hailu Getachew, Yosef Getachew, Aimro Tadese, Tigist Birku, Michael Gete, Tazeb Molla, Alemayehu Abate, Belay Bezabih, Gene Mutations Conferring for Second-Line Drug-resistant Tuberculosis in Amhara Region: Eight-years Retrospective Study , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)
- Bogale Desta , Abaineh Munshia, Desalegn Adisu, Alemayehu Abate, Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among people Living with HIV Attending at the Dangila Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 15 No. 2 (2025)