Abstract
BackgroundAntibiotics are amongst the more frequently prescribed medicines in pregnant women and the use of antibiotics is increasing. However, with limited studies available in this population, the safe use of antibiotics in pregnancy remains a concern.AimTo evaluate the use of antibiotics amongst pregnant women attending a public health care facility. The main objective of this study was to quantify the types of antibiotics used in pregnant women.SettingA public hospital classified as a referral hospital located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.MethodsDemographic and treatment information of women were collected retrospectively from January 2019 to July 2019. A total of 184 pregnant patients, who received antibiotic therapy, were included in this study. Descriptive and analytical measures were used to analyse both patient demographics and treatment variables.ResultsA total of 416 antibiotic prescriptions, issued to 184 patients, were reviewed. Penicillins (39.7%), macrolides (13.0%) and combination penicillin- and beta-lactam inhibitors (12.3%) were reported as the most commonly prescribed antibiotics. Rifamycin (2.9%), hydrazides (2.2%) and aminoglycosides (1.9%) were less frequently prescribed. Most antibiotics were prescribed for diseases of the circulatory system (36.1%).ConclusionSeveral classes of antibiotics were used in pregnancy despite the lack of available safety data and clinical evidence. Informing women of the potential side effects and keeping abreast with new information played an important role in the safe, rational and effective use of medicines that contributed to improving maternal health.
Highlights
Antibiotic use in pregnancy is increasing (Broe et al 2014) and antibiotics account for a significant percentage of all medication that is prescribed in pregnancy (Kuperman & Koren 2016)
The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the use of antibiotics amongst pregnant women attending a public healthcare facility
A significant percentage (63.1%) of women were in their third trimester of pregnancy, with less than 35% of pregnancies being categorised as high risk
Summary
Antibiotic use in pregnancy is increasing (Broe et al 2014) and antibiotics account for a significant percentage of all medication that is prescribed in pregnancy (Kuperman & Koren 2016). One out of every four pregnant women is prescribed an antibiotic (Bookstaver et al 2015; Santos, Oraichi & Bérard 2010; Stokholm et al 2013). The use of antibiotics in pregnancy is attributed to the fact that pregnancy predisposes the body to infection. Genitourinary infections are the most frequently occurring illness contributing to the upsurge in antibiotic use (Lee et al 2019, 2020). Antibiotics are amongst the more frequently prescribed medicines in pregnant women and the use of antibiotics is increasing. With limited studies available in this population, the safe use of antibiotics in pregnancy remains a concern
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