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Antibiotic Prescription Suitability Assessment in Health Centers of Gisagara District, Rwanda
Nkurunziza, Vedaste; Vincent Kalumire, Cubaka; Sebuhoro, Dieudonne; Tihon, Vincent & Muganga, Raymond
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic over-prescription is a global public health
problem. This leads to increased antimicrobial resistance, health costs and
other adverse effects. In Rwanda, most outpatient visits take place in health
centers where most of the antibiotics are prescribed. This study aimed to
assess antibiotic prescription suitability in selected health centers in the
District of Gisagara, Rwanda.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study which included 645 antibiotic
prescriptions between January and December 2017 in the health centers of
Kigembe, Kibayi and Agahabwa of Kibilizi Hospital, Gisagara district in
Southern province, Rwanda. Data were collected from outpatient consultation
registries. A systematic sampling technique was used to select study
participants. A checklist comprising clinical symptoms, signs, diagnosis and
prescribed antibiotics was used for data collection. EPI DATA and STATA
software were used respectively for data entry and data analysis.
RESULTS: Average of antibiotic prescription was 54.2%. The mean age of
patients treated was 26.6 years. The common symptoms related to antibiotics
prescription were fever at 29%, cough at 26.9% and running nose at 17%.
The most prescribed antibiotics were: Amoxicillin (37.1%), Penicillin V
(13.2%) and Cloxacillin (12.1%). The main indication was upper respiratory
tract infection at 40.6%. Among all antibiotics prescriptions, only 38.6%
were found to be suitable.
CONCLUSION: Based on the recommended antibiotic prescription rate set
at 30% by WHO, the rate antibiotics prescription in the three health centers
is higher. There is a need to train health center nurses in diagnostic and
rational antibiotic practices to limit the antibiotics' over-prescription and
antimicrobial resistance.
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