Evaluation of trends in hospital antimicrobial use in the Lao PDR using repeated point-prevalence surveys-evidence to improve treatment guideline use.

Background: Antimicrobial use (AMU) is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). There are few data on AMU, to inform optimizing antibiotic stewardship, in the Lao PDR (Laos).

Methods: Point prevalence surveys (PPS) of AMU were conducted at four-month intervals in six general hospitals across Laos from 2017 to 2020, using modified Global-PPS data collection tools.