Assessment of Antibiotic Prescription Pattern as a Predisposing Factor to Growing Antibiotics Resistance in Kwara South Senatorial District of Nigeria

Abstract

The Most Prescribed Medicines In The Health Facilities Are Antibiotics, And Their Unethical Prescription And Empirical Use Are Factors That Promote Irrational Use And The Spread Of Antibiotics Resistance. The Objective Of This Study Was To Assess Antibiotic Prescription Patterns As A Predisposing Factor To Antibiotics Resistance In Kwara South Senatorial District Of Nigeria. A Cross-Sectional Study Was Carried Out From September 2020 To January 2021 In 4 Randomly Selected Government And Private Hospitals. The WHO Questionnaire On Antibiotic Resistance Prevalence Survey Was Modified And Administered To 442 Patients On Antibiotics To Collect Data, And IBM/SPSS Version 23 Was Used For Analysis. A Total Of 891 Antibiotics Were Prescribed In 442 Prescriptions. The Average Number Of Antibiotics Per Prescription Was Approximately 2.0. Metronidazole (44.6%) Was The Most Prescribed Antibiotics, Followed By Ceftriaxone (41%), And Gastro-Intestinal Tract Infection Was Most (17,6%) Common Indication. Irrational Prescribing Accounted For 22.4% And Most Of The Antibiotics Prescribed Were In The Watch Group Of WHO Categorization With High Potential For Resistance. Prescription In Trade Name Was 57.9%. Parenteral Route (54.8%) Was Most Reported Route Of Administration. The Most Common Treatment Type Was Empirical Treatment (83.3%). Association Between Age And Empirical Treatment Type Was Statistically Significant With P-Value Of 0.02. Empirical Treatment Occurred In Infant And Young Child Irrespective Of The Gender Of Child. There Was Irrational Use Of Antibiotics In Secondary Care Facilities In This Study. Antibiotic Stewardship Program Is Recommended For Secondary Health Care Facilities In Kwara Senatorial District.