Background: Rational use of antimicrobial agents is necessary to prevent the emergence of drug resistance.
Objectives: This study aims to assess the prescription pattern of antibiotics using the Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATCC)/Defined Daily Dose (DDD) metrics.
Methods: It was a retrospective audit of antibiotics prescribed to patients admitted to a tertiary hospital. Demographics and clinical information of patients’ were collected. The ATCC/DDD system was used to classify antibiotics. The DDD per 100 bed-days was calculated and the quality of prescription including generic and injection use was evaluated.
Results: Out of 1280 prescriptions, 994 were analysed. The average number of antibiotics prescribed was 2±1. Only 23% of the patients had confirmed cases of bacterial infection. Imidazole derivatives (J01X) were the most prescribed antibiotics (68.8 DDDs per 100 bed-days) followed by Cephalosporins (45.0 DDDs), Beta-lactams (35.3 DDDs), Fluoroquinolones (30.9 DDDs) and Macrolides/ Lincosamides (14.4 DDDs). Sulphanomides/Trimethoprim (4.7 DDD), Aminoglycosides (0.8 DDD), Penicillin (0.3 DDD) and Carbapenems (0.1 DDD) were the least prescribed. Metronidazole was the most prescribed drug (34.2%). Generic names and injections were used in 55% and 72% of antibiotics prescribed.
Conclusions: Irrational antibiotics prescription remains a serious concern in Nigeria, interventions to promote rational use of antibiotics are recommended.
