Utilization of Antibiotics Among Pregnant women in two tertiary Hospital in Southeast Nigeria: A pharmacoepidemiological Survey
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Date
2019
Authors
Ogbonna, B.O.
Obi, C.F.
Ejim, C.E.
Isiboye, P.D.
Soni, J.S.
Orji, E.C.
Nduka, S.O.
Nduka, J.I.
Ohiari, I.G.
Uzodinma, S.U.
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Abstract
Background: Pregnancy is a very critical stage in a woman’s life, and the use of drugs especially antibiotics calls for concern. The drug utilization among this class of patients has been largely described as inappropriate which results from irrational prescribing, dispensing, and administration of medications. Objective: This study assessed antibiotic utilization among pregnant women in the two hospitals. Methods: The study was a retrospective, cross-sectional survey. It was carried out in Anambra State; Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi and General Hospital Onitsha, southeast Nigeria. The study group involved pregnant mothers undergoing ante-natal care in tertiary health care facilities. All patients’ folders that met the inclusion criteria were assessed. Data included basic demographic details, number of drugs per prescription and antibiotics, relevant medical history, co-morbidities, and common ailment, educational status, pre-conception, and current substance use status and other factors associated with medications and supplement use during pregnancy. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 and descriptive statistics. Results: The finding showed that the average age of pregnant women in General hospital, Onitsha is 39 years old, this value accounted for 27.44% of pregnant women in that hospital as against the average age of pregnant women in NAUTH, which is 13 years on the average, and accounted for 30.69% of pregnant women. In Onitsha general hospital, Ciprofloxacin had the highest prescription of 76 (25.3%) followed by Erythromycin (65, 21.7%), Levofloxacin, 35 (11.7%), amoxicillin, 33 (11.0%), and others. In Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Ampicillin/Cloxacillin was the most prescribed drug, 16 (53.4%). Most antibiotics were prescribed twice daily (194, 64.7%) in the general hospital, Onitsha. A total of 60 (20.0%) prescriptions had thrice daily medications, 34 (11.3) once daily and 12 (4.0%) four times daily. In NAUTH, 17 (56.7%) and 13 (43.3%) prescriptions were given twice and thrice daily. No prescription contained once or four times daily medication. There was no drug therapy problem recorded in both hospitals. Conclusion: The antibiotics prescribed for pregnant women felled within the WHO risk category A and B with rare cases of prescription occurring in category D. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was the fluoroquinolone class
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Drug Utilization , Pregnant Women , Underlying Disease , Rational Drug Use , Health Facilities , Research Subject Categories::PHARMACY
Citation
Ogbonna, B.O., Obi, C.F., Ejim, C.E., Isiboye, P.D., Soni, J.S., Orji, E.C., Nduka, S.O., Nduka, J.I., Ohiari, I.G., Uzodinma, S.U., Iweh, M.I., Ofomata, P.C., Isidienu, C.P., Ezeh, U.I.H., Onwuchuluba, E.E., Akonoghrere, R.O. & Ejie, I.L. (2019) “Utilization of Antibiotics Among Pregnant women in two tertiary Hospital in Southeast Nigeria: A pharmacoepidemiological Survey”. EC Pharmacology and Toxicology, 7(9), 981- 989.