Evaluation of antibiotic utilization and prescribing pattern in pediatrics using the WHO prescribing indicators in a Nigerian tertiary hospital
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Abstract
Background: Medication use in children requires careful management given their increased risk of adverse effects. Inappropriate prescribing and use of antibiotics may intensify antibiotic resistance and compromise health outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides core prescribing indicators to assess rational drug use, emphasizing the importance of aligning with best practices. This study evaluates the prescribing patterns of antibiotics and other medications for pediatric patients in a Nigerian tertiary hospital using WHO core indicators, aiming to offer insights for improving medication utilization and antibiotic stewardship.
Method: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital involved 600 pediatric prescription records from September 2023 to August 2024. Data collection included demographics, total drugs per prescription, antibiotic use, and adherence to generic prescribing and the essential drug list. The R programming language was used to analyze the prescribing metrics in comparison with the WHO standard.
Results: The average number of drugs per encounter was 3.0, surpassing the WHO recommendation. Notably, 58.2% of prescriptions included antibiotics, substantially exceeding the suggested range of 20%–26.8%. However, 68.9% of medications were prescribed by generic names, and 90.3% of the drugs were prescribed from the essential drug list, revealing gaps in adherence to best practices. The predominant antibiotics prescribed were cefuroxime and amoxicillin, emphasizing reliance on commonly used agents.
Conclusion: Results indicate a critical need for enhanced prescriber education on rational antibiotic use. The study underscores the importance of implementing stringent antibiotic stewardship programs to mitigate resistance and optimize treatment strategies in pediatric populations.
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