Abstract

Firomsa Bekele*, Kumera Bekele and Dinka Dugassa

ABSTRACT

Background: Antimicrobial agents are among the most used therapeutics and widely misused of all drugs. These irrational and uncontrollable uses of antibiotics will increases resistance, potential adverse effects and cost. The pediatric medication use process is complex and error prone because of multiple steps requires in calculating, verifying, preparing and administering doses. Bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, efficacy and adverse effect information can differ markedly between pediatric and adult patients as well as among pediatric patients. Thus through drug use evaluation this issue will be addressed rationally Objective:-To evaluate the rationality of antibiotics use in Pediatric ward of Shambu General Hospital. Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted based on patient medical records to evaluate the antibiotic drug use. Data was collected using pre-tested questioner which was adapted from different literatures. The collected data was analyzed manually by using scientific calculator after it was edited and checked for error, and organized. The results was presented using tables, graphs and texts as based on the types of data Result: Out of 248 study populations during the study period 144(58.1%) were males and 104(41.9%) were females. Majority of the study populations were aged between 1-12 months which accounts 78(31.95%) followed by (0- 1months) with 72(28.1%). Regarding to body weight majority of pediatric patients of the study populations were weighing between 4-9.99kg comprising 92(37.1%) followed by 2.5-3.99 kg which accounts 54(21.77%). Severe pneumonia 68(24.11%) was the commonest infection diagnosed. Gentamycin 152 (25.33%) and Penicillin 206(34.33%) were the most commonly prescribed individual and classes of antibiotics respectively. From the prescribed dosage regimen 496(88.57%), 42(75.35%) and 518(92.5%) were prescribed with appropriate dose, frequency and duration respectively. 577(96.17%) were prescribed in generic name and high dose of chloramphenicol was the contraindicated antibiotic prescribed during the study. Conclusion and recommendation: Similar to other settings there was irrational use of antibiotics during prescribing regarding to dosage regimen appropriateness, drug interaction and contraindication. Thus all should be responsible including the physician, pharmacist, hospital administrator, DTC,Ministry of health and patients in reducing the extent of irrational use of antibiotics at every dimension.