FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO IRRATIONAL PRESCRIPTION OF ANTIBIOTICS AMONG PRESCRIBERS IN CHILDREN BELOW 12 YEARS, KAWOLO GENERAL HOSPITAL, BUIKWE DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background:

Specific objectives: To determine & identify the individual and health facility-related factors contributing to the irrational prescription of antibiotics among prescribers to children below 12 years in Kawolo General Hospital.

 Methods:

A cross-sectional study was done on only health workers of Kawolo General Hospital. A convenience sampling technique was used to obtain the sample of participants.

Results:

The majority of the respondents were between 30-39yrs (40%), married (60%), and nurses by profession (40%). The study findings showed that (64%) of the respondents reported having positive attitude towards irrational prescription of antibiotics, most(46%) reported working 12 hours a day, (84%) reported that there are no senior medical officers who usually approve the prescriptions, (60%) reported that junior health workers are not equipped with the knowledge about using diagnostic tools, (68%) reported that they have experienced pressure while prescribing,(92%) were not provided with the prescription guidelines, (96%) were not oriented about the use of guidelines, (72%) reported that the health facility does not engage health works in professional training,(76%) reported that there is no supervision carried out on junior health workers.

Conclusion:

The factors contributing to irrational prescription of antibiotics among prescribers of children below 12 years include inadequate knowledge of prescribers, pressure experienced by prescribers from patients, working for long hours, lack of continuous professional development, and failure of the hospital management to provide the prescription guidelines to prescribers.

Recommendations:

The Ministry of Health should enforce the use of Uganda's clinical guidelines in clinical practice to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of prevailing diseases. The management of Kawolo General Hospital should conduct strict supervision and guidance to the junior health workers.