Prevalence and Public Health Threat of Multidrug-resistant Hospital-acquired Infections in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Review
Mujahid Musa *
Department of Microbiology, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina, Nigeria.
Saratu Bashir Aminu
Department of Nursing Science, Baze University, Abuja, Nigeria.
Hafsat Sagir Bakori
Department of Microbiology, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina, Nigeria.
Zakariyya Abubakar Muhammad
Department of Microbiology, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria represent a growing public health threat in Nigeria. This review maps the prevalence, distribution, and health system impact of bacterial MDR HAIs in Nigerian hospitals from 2017 to 2025. Following the PRISMA-ScR framework, evidence was drawn from PubMed, Scopus, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar published from 2017 to 2025. Forty-six studies met inclusion criteria. Reported MDR prevalence ranged from 43 to 92 % across isolates, with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus dominating. Resistance was highest to cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems. MDR HAIs significantly prolonged hospitalization, increased costs, and raised mortality rates. Strengthened surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and infection-control policy are essential to avert further escalation of this national public-health crisis.
Keywords: Multidrug resistance, hospital-acquired infections, Nigeria, antimicrobial resistance, public-health threat