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High Levels of Outpatient Antibiotic Prescription at a District Hospital in Ghana: Results of a Cross Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Obed Kwabena Offe Amponsah

    (Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Sharath Burugina Nagaraja

    (Department of Community Medicine, ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR, Bengaluru 560010, India)

  • Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng

    (Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
    University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Divya Nair

    (International Union against TB and Lung Disease (The Union), 75006 Paris, France)

  • Karlos Muradyan

    (Tuberculosis Research and Prevention Center, Yerevan 0014, Armenia)

  • Phanuel Seli Asense

    (University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Osei Kwaku Wusu-Ansah

    (University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Robert Fraser Terry

    (Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organisation, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Mohammed Khogali

    (Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organisation, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Kwame Ohene Buabeng

    (Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

Abstract

Background: Monitoring of antibiotic prescription practices in hospitals is essential to assess and facilitate appropriate use. This is relevant to halt the progression of antimicrobial resistance. Methods: Assessment of antibiotic prescribing patterns and completeness of antibiotic prescriptions among out-patients in 2021 was conducted at the University Hospital of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in the Ashanti region of Ghana. We reviewed electronic medical records (EMR) of 49,660 patients who had 110,280 encounters in the year. Results: The patient encounters yielded 350,149 prescriptions. Every month, 33–36% of patient encounters resulted in antibiotic prescription, higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended optimum of 27%. Almost half of the antibiotics prescribed belonged to WHO’s Watch group. Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (50%), azithromycin (29%), ciprofloxacin (28%), metronidazole (21%), and cefuroxime (20%) were the most prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotic prescribing parameters (indication, name of drug, duration, dose, route, and frequency) were documented in almost all prescriptions. Conclusions: Extending antimicrobial stewardship to the out-patient settings by developing standard treatment guidelines, an out-patient specific drug formulary, and antibiograms can promote rational antibiotic use at the hospital. The EMR system of the hospital is a valuable tool for monitoring prescriptions that can be leveraged for future audits.

Suggested Citation

  • Obed Kwabena Offe Amponsah & Sharath Burugina Nagaraja & Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng & Divya Nair & Karlos Muradyan & Phanuel Seli Asense & Osei Kwaku Wusu-Ansah & Robert Fraser Terry & Mohammed Khogali , 2022. "High Levels of Outpatient Antibiotic Prescription at a District Hospital in Ghana: Results of a Cross Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:16:p:10286-:d:891651
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    Cited by:

    1. Obed Kwabena Offe Amponsah & Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng & Sharath Burugina Nagaraja & Divya Nair & Karlos Muradyan & George Kwesi Hedidor & Appiah-Korang Labi & Mercy Naa Aduele Opare-Addo & Emmanuel Sa, 2022. "Adherence to Prescribing Indicators at a District Hospital in Ghana: Do We Match WHO Standards?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-10, September.

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