Abstract

A STUDY ON PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF ANTIBIOTICS IN PEADIATRIC DEPARTMENT AT A GOVERNTMENT DISTRICT HOSPITAL OF NORTH KARNATAKA

Ashok Kumar Malpani*, Riyaz Miya, G. Manasa, B. Chandra Sekhar, T. Monika Singh

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics are among the most common prescribing drugs in paediatrics. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the utilization of antibiotics in paediatrics department in the government district hospital. It is a prospective study to assess the pattern of antibiotic use in the paediatric ward at Govt. district hospital, North Karnataka. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the irrational use of antibiotics prescribed for the children under the age of 0 – 16 years in Dist. govt. teaching hospital, Gulbarga. Methods: A prospective study of 6 months was conducted. Undertaken over 316 patients data collection forms of paediatric in - patient department. Result: Our study showed that more number of patients are in range of 1 to 5 years (40.18%). And also more number of patients diagnosed with RTI was 20.18%. A combination of Cefotaxime and Amikacin were prescribed at higher percentage (97.95%). The study also revealed that drug-drug interactions were found to be less in number i.e., moderate (6.96%) and minor (5.06%). Conclusion: In the study it was observed that majority of the prescriptions contain more than one antibiotic. Prescriptions reflect the physician’s attitude towards a patient. In our setup it was found that most of the antibiotics prescribed were from the pharmacy store at the hospital. Physician’s choice and easier availability of Cefotaxime and Amikacin in hospital formulary they promote heavy use of it. A much needed public awareness campaign to highlight the dangers of misuse and irrational use of antibiotics were recently launched by ministry of health and family welfare in India.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Paediatrics, Prospective, Drug-drug interactions, RTI.