1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Today, profiling antibiotic use in health centers is part of global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, with organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocating for standardized protocols and monitoring systems to track and improve antibiotic usage (WHO, 2020). The use of antibiotics is integral to modern healthcare, playing a vital role in managing bacterial infections, reducing morbidity, and enhancing patient recovery. However, the global concern over antibiotic misuse and overuse has led to an increase in antibiotic resistance, a significant public health challenge (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020). Health centers, where antibiotics are commonly prescribed, serve as key settings for studying patterns in antibiotic use (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019). Health centers, especially those that serve diverse populations, often witness a range of antibiotic prescriptions due to varying levels of healthcare access and differences in patient demographics (Ventola, 2015). In many developing countries, antibiotics are sometimes prescribed without appropriate diagnostic testing, further increasing the likelihood of misuse (Laxminarayan et al., 2016).
Studies indicate that factors such as patient demand, physician awareness, and availability of diagnostic facilities impact antibiotic prescription patterns in health centers (Okeke et al., 2021). This background highlights the need to analyze antibiotic use within health centers to support informed policy-making and educational programs aimed at reducing inappropriate prescriptions (CDC, 2019). Efforts to monitor and regulate antibiotic prescriptions are essential to ensuring their effective use in healthcare settings. Data from health centers can be instrumental in shaping guidelines for antibiotic prescriptions, enhancing treatment efficacy, and reducing the potential for adverse drug reactions and resistance development (Ventola, 2015).
The current study seeks to profile antibiotic use at the health center to identify usage patterns, contributing factors, and opportunities for improved antibiotic stewardship, thus addressing a critical aspect of healthcare delivery (WHO, 2020).
Antibiotics refer to a class of medications that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They work by either killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth and reproduction (Nannini et al., 2020). The term antibiotic resistance describes a situation where bacteria evolve and develop the ability to resist the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. Antibiotic use in healthcare settings has become a critical issue in recent years, primarily due to the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the most significant global health threats, with implications for the effectiveness of common medical treatments (WHO, 2021).
Health centers play a vital role in providing primary healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities where access to specialized care may be limited (Chambers et al., 2020). Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for various infections, making it crucial to analyze patterns of use, indications for prescriptions, and adherence to guidelines. Such assessments can help identify areas where improvements are needed in antibiotic stewardship efforts.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the profile of antibiotic use at the health centre.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the use of antibiotics at health centers is associated with multiple challenges, particularly concerning the rising rates of antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics, when misused or over-prescribed, contribute significantly to the development of resistant strains of bacteria, which is a critical public health issue globally (Ventola, 2015). In many health centers, there is limited oversight on antibiotic prescription practices, resulting in varied patterns of use that do not always align with best practices or guidelines (World Health Organization, 2020).
The problem is further intensified by gaps in healthcare professionals' knowledge and practices regarding responsible antibiotic use. Studies indicate that healthcare providers sometimes rely on antibiotics as first-line treatments, even in cases where alternative options may be more suitable (Laxminarayan et al., 2013).
This misuse is a result of both a lack of training in antibiotic stewardship and the pressure to treat symptoms rapidly, which is common in high-demand health centers. Consequently, understanding the profile of antibiotic use at health centers is essential to identify and address misuse and to enhance antibiotic stewardship initiatives to protect public health. It is against the backdrop that this study seeks to address these problems by evaluating the profile of antibiotic use at the health centre.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to analyze the profile of antibiotic use at the health centre. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify common conditions for which antibiotics are prescribed and evaluate if their use is appropriate.
- To assess the frequency and types of antibiotics prescribed at the health center.
- To examine the adherence of antibiotic prescriptions to established clinical guidelines.
- To determine healthcare providers' knowledge and practices related to antibiotic prescription.
- To investigate factors contributing to potential misuse or overuse of antibiotics at the health center.
- To provide recommendations for improving antibiotic prescribing practices and enhancing awareness on antimicrobial resistance.
1.4 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors that contribute to the potential misuse or overuse of antibiotics at the health center?
- What knowledge and practices do healthcare providers at the health center demonstrate regarding antibiotic prescriptions?
- To what extent do antibiotic prescriptions at the health center align with established clinical guidelines?
- For which common health conditions are antibiotics being prescribed, and are this use appropriate?
- What are the most frequently prescribed antibiotics at the health center?
- How can prescribing practices at the health center be improved to support antibiotic stewardship and reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H01: There is no significant relationship between the adherence to clinical guidelines and the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions at the health center.
- H02: Increased awareness and training of healthcare providers in antibiotic stewardship is associated with reduced misuse of antibiotics at the health center.
1.6 Significance of Study
The study will provide valuable insights into the patterns and practices of antibiotic use within the health center, highlighting areas where usage aligns with or deviates from clinical guidelines. It will serve as a useful resource for healthcare providers to improve prescribing habits, ensuring that antibiotics are used more responsibly to minimize the risk of antimicrobial resistance. The findings will also benefit policy-makers by identifying gaps in current practices that require intervention, supporting the development of targeted strategies for antibiotic stewardship.
Furthermore, the research study will aid patients and the wider community by promoting safer and more effective healthcare practices, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes.
Lastly, it will add to the existing body of research, serving as a reference for future studies aimed at enhancing antibiotic use practices in healthcare settings.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the profile of antibiotic use at the health centre in Nigeria.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.9 Definition of Terms
In the context of this study, several key terms are defined to provide clarity and ensure a shared understanding among readers.
Antibiotics: It refers to a class of medications that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They work by either killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth and reproduction (Nannini et al., 2020).
Antibiotic Resistance: It describes a situation where bacteria evolve and develop the ability to resist the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021).
Antibiotic Stewardship: It is the coordinated efforts to improve and measure the appropriate use of antibiotics, which includes developing policies and practices that promote the optimal use of these medications (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020).
