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Evaluation of the prescription pattern and appropriateness of therapy in the management of bacterial STIs in three hospitals in Southern Ghana.

  • At: PPR 2022 (2022)
  • Type: Poster
  • Poster code: PM-23
  • By: HUTTON-NYAMEAYE, Araba Ata (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Technology)
  • Co-author(s): Araba Ata Hutton-Nyameaye, PhD Candidate, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology , Ghana
    Morrison Asiamah, Principal Research Assistant, Department of Electron Microscopy and Histopathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Ghana
    Karikari Asafo-Adjei, Microbiologist, Microbiology Unit, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana
    Charles Kweku Benneh, Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences,, Ghana
    Kwame Ohene Buabeng, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana


  • Abstract:

    Background: Sexually transmitted infection is of public health concern due to its spate of spread, associated complications and issues of antimicrobial resistance. Globally, it is estimated that more than 1 million people contract one or more infection type per day. Considering the wide spread of these infections, appropriate drug therapy is required to reduce spread. Evidence suggests that inappropriate drug therapy in the management of curable bacterial STIs; gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia could increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
    Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the prescription pattern and appropriateness of therapy in the management of bacterial STIs in three hospitals in the Volta Region of Ghana.
    Method: A prospective cohort study was carried out to collect pertinent information on patient demographics, disease presentation and management at a primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions in the Volta region of Ghana (Southern Ghana). A total of 178 participants were recruited and data on demographic characteristics, knowledge on STI, STI history, diagnosis and STI management were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis( chi square test at p<0.05), using STATA 15.
    Results: 71.91% (n=128) were females and the modal age of participants was 21 to 30 years representing about 54.49% of the participants (n=97). More than half (53.23%) had a good knowledge on STIs. Knowledge on STIs was significantly associated with occupation (p =0.026), level of education (p=0.001) and marital status (p=0.038). About 44 .4% of the study participants had no accompanying laboratory request or results prior to treatment and were treated empirically. Cephalosporins (29.4%), Quinolones (18.5%), Metronidazole and related drugs (11.8%), Macrolides (8.4%), Penicillins (5%) were the most prescribed agents. More than half (52.81%) of prescriptions which were not based on recommended national treatment guidelines. Over 25% of the therapy administered (n=47) were inappropriate. The appropriateness of drug therapy was significantly associated with the type of health facility (p=0.012) and gender of participant (p=0.025).
    Conclusion: The inappropriateness of therapy involving the antimicrobials used could be a viable driver for resistance and hence future management of these STIs.There should be an increased testing of infection at the hospital before treatment.

Last update 28 September 2023

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