Drug Therapy Problems Associated with Antibiotics Prescriptions in University of Uyo Health Centre, Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance has contributed as one of the greatest public health threats at present. This study aimed at identifying drug therapy problems (DTPs) associated with prescriptions of antibiotics to patients attending the University of Uyo Health Centre and presented a seminar as an intervention. Method: A prospective observational study was carried out. One hundred (100) patient folders with 147 antibiotics prescriptions were used for the survey for the first-month collation of antibiotics prescriptions while one hundred and sixty (160) patient folders with 160 antibiotics prescriptions were used at the second -month of the survey. The seminar presentation on drug therapy problems associated with antibiotics prescriptions was held after the first -month of the survey. Data obtained were analyzed by using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency, mean, standard deviation and bar chart. The statistical analytical tool such as student T- test was used and significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05. Result: The first survey involved 147 prescriptions of antibiotics. Prescriptions with DTPs were 77 (52.4%) while the most frequently occurring DTPs was drug interactions (37.1%), followed by inappropriate dosage frequency (23.7%) and unnecessary medication (22.7%). The follow up survey included 160 prescriptions of antibiotics, out of which 112 (70%) prescriptions of antibiotics contained 209 DTPs. The most frequent DTPs was drug interactions (49.3%), followed by inappropriate dosage duration (19.1%) and inappropriate dosage frequency (11.5%). The results also showed that antibiotics prescriptions with DTPs were significantly increased in the follow-up survey (p=0.00) of the study. Drug interaction (p=0.00), overdosing (p=0.00), underdosing (p=0.00) and Inappropriate dosage duration (p=0.00) were significantly increased in the follow-up survey. Conclusion: This study had indicated prevalence of DTPs associated with antibiotic prescriptions. Drug interaction, inappropriate dosage frequency and unnecessary medication were very common among antibiotic prescriptions.