PMID: 9185407Mar 1, 1997Paper

Survey of antibiotic prescribing pattern in government health facilities of the Wassa west district of Ghana

East African Medical Journal
W K Bosu, D Ofori-Adjei

Abstract

Antibiotic prescribing patterns was studied from 700 retrospective outpatient clinical records from seven government health facilities in the Wassa West district of Ghana. Prescribing patterns were compared between the district hospital and six health centres. The percentage of patients receiving one or more antibiotics was significantly more at the health centres(60.7%) than at the hospital(41.0%) (chi 2 = 13.6; p < 0.001). The average number of antibiotics prescribed per patient was 1.4 and 1.1 respectively. The commonest antibiotics prescribed were procaine penicillin, cotrimoxazole, benzylpenicillin, metronidazole and amoxycillin. Malaria, upper respiratory infections, soft tissue infections and diarrhoeal diseases were the commonest indications for antibiotic use. Factors such as the availability of diagnostic facilities, type of prescriber, lack of refresher training and patient demand were considered to significantly influence antibiotic prescribing.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antimalarial Agents

Antimalarial agents, also known as antimalarials, are designed to prevent or cure malaria. Discover the latest research on antimalarial agents here.

Antimalarial Agents (ASM)

Antimalarial agents, also known as antimalarials, are designed to prevent or cure malaria. Discover the latest research on antimalarial agents here.

Antifungals (ASM)

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.

Antifungals

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.