The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis Patterns in Gynecology and Obstetrics Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Parnian Babadinia 1
Fatemeh Paknazar 2
Satinik Darzi 3
Kobra Bahrampour Juybari 4
1 Medical Student, Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Immunogenetics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2026.93265.6623
Abstract
Introduction: The covid-19 pandemic led to an irrational increase in the use of antibiotics. Therefore, the present study was conducted with aim to investigate and compare the antibiotic prescribing pattern in surgical prophylaxis regimens before and during the covid-19 pandemic.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the gynecology department of Amiralmomenin Hospital of Semnan from 2018 to 2021. Required information, including the type of surgery, category and specific type of prescribed antibiotic, route and duration of administration, and length of hospital stay were extracted and recorded from 393 patient files. The prescribing patterns were compared with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) guidelines. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (version 26) and Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. P<0.05 was considered significant..
Results: During the pandemic period, the use of cephalosporins and the combination of cephalosporins with macrolides and nitroimidazoles significantly increased (P<0.001). Conversely, the prescription of penicillins and penicillins-tetracyclines combination significantly decreased (P<0.001). In both periods, cefazolin and doxycycline have been among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics. While full compliance with ASHP guidelines was observed in terms of the type and dosage of antibiotics in both periods, non-compliance concerning the duration of therapy was observed during the pandemic (41% vs. 34%; P<0.001).
Conclusion: The covid-19 pandemic has been associated with significant changes in the prescribing patterns of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis and caused a disproportionate increase in the prescription of certain antibiotics during the pandemic. Given that antimicrobial resistance has become a serious threat to global health, the appropriate application of guidelines such as ASHP is critical.
Keywords
Antimicrobial Resistance
ASHP
Covid-19 Pandemic
Surgical Prophylaxis
Subjects
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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 29, Issue 3
May 2026
Pages 35-45