RATIONAL PRESCRIBING OF ANTIBIOTICS IN CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS WITH UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN KINTAMPO MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT

Background: Upper respiratory tract infections are the most frequently occurring illness of children due to their low immunity and are of high cost to society, being responsible for children absenteeism from school and parents from work. Despite their predominant viral aetiology and self-limiting nature, they continue to be treated with antibiotics. The inappropriate use of these antibiotics in children is accompanied by serious adverse effects. When antibiotics are indicated, there is the need to choose the appropriate effective agent and dose, frequency of intake, duration with the narrowest spectrum, fewest side effects and lowest cost. This study sought to find out how rationally, antibiotics are prescribed in children under five years with upper respiratory tract infections in Kintampo Municipal Hospital.

Methods: A review of records was carried out using the medical records of children under five years who attended the out-patient department of Kintampo Municipal Hospital from 1st January, 2009 to 31st December, 2014 and were managed for upper respiratory tract infections. A total of 270 patients’ cards/folders were selected through systematic random sampling and information on age, sex, diagnosis and medication with dose, frequency and duration of therapy extracted. Five prescribers were also interviewed through structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and STATA SE Version 13 (College of Texas, USA) at 95% Confidence Interval and statistical significance set at p