Prediatric antimicrobial utilization in a tertiary hospital in north central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The use of antimicrobials has been on the rise among paediatric patients in Nigerian clinical settings, possibly due to increased prevalence of infectious diseases among this age group. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials can pose a serious threat to life due to the development of antimicrobial drug resistance.

Objectives: To determine antimicrobial prescription pattern among paediatric patients and to evaluate compliance with WHO core prescribing indicators and calculated Indices of Rational Drug Prescribing (IRDP).

Methods: A retrospective, cross sectional study which extracted data from folders of paediatric patients who were admitted in Federal Medical Center, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria from tanuary 2019 to December 2019, was carried out using a well-designed proforma. Data was analysed using International Business Machine (IBM) version 23 and presented in form of simple percentages and charts.

Results: Most of the prescriptions were within normal doses (74.6%). Unasyn® (Ampicillin/Sulbactam) was the most prescribed antibiotics (16.2%). Comparing with WHO core prescribing indicators, the average number of drugs per encounter was 2.1 as against 1.6-1.8. Calculated indices of Rational Drug Prescribing (RDP) was 3.03 as against the ideal IRDP of 5. Compliance with standard prescription writing format was high, except for the Physician's name, which more than 50% of the prescriptions did not have.

Conclusion: The most prescribed antimicrobial agent was ampicillin/sulbactam. Compliance with standard prescribing format was reasonably high but needs improvement. Compliance with WHO core prescribing indicators was poor exept for generic prescribing and prescribing from EMDEXK. Generally, polypharmacy was observed. IRDP was low in this research at 3.03.