Abstract
Purpose : To evaluate the cost of antibacterial usage to patients in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. Methods : Drug utilization evaluation was carried out retrospectively among patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) over a one-year period between 2005 and 2006 in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Nigeria. Case notes numbering 230 and containing 317 prescriptions were sampled consecutively with the aid of diagnostic coding cards. Relevant data including case demographics, diagnosis, prescribed drugs, and dosages were extracted and the associated costs analysed. Results : A majority of the patients (82.3 %) were youths aged 21 - 40 years. Higher prevalence was observed among male patients (70.2 %). The proportion of drugs prescribed in generic and branded names were 82.1 and 17.9 %, respectively. Total number of antibacterial doses was 7284 at a total cost of NGN239,420.00 (US$1,841.69). Average antibacterial cost per patient was NGN1,040.96 (US$8.00). Quinolones were the most widely prescribed class of antibacterial agents (31.1 % of cases) at a cost of NGN81,646.00 (US$628.05) representing 34.1% of the total antibacterial cost to patients. Conclusion : This study indicates that antibacterial cost was high, relative to the purchasing power of the local populace, a large proportion of whom live below the poverty line (US$1.00 per day). Furthermore, a greater proportion of the antibacterial cost was due to a few agents, the use of which should be evidence-based and closely monitored. Keywords : Antibacterial therapy, Cost, Antibacterial utilization, Infectious diseases Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research December 2010; 9 (6): 549-555
Highlights
Transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, chancroid, chlamydia and non gonococcal urethritis are very common worldwide and a total prevalence of 21.5% has been reported in Nigeria [1]
A total prevalence of about 3.7 million cases was reported in Nigeria in 2001 [4]
Antibacterial cost to patients and the nation at large is enormous and this calls for prudent use of these agents
Summary
Transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, chancroid, chlamydia and non gonococcal urethritis are very common worldwide and a total prevalence of 21.5% has been reported in Nigeria [1]. In the year 2000, an estimated nine million cases of STIs occurred among persons aged 15 - 24 years in the United States [2]. In 2006, estimated 332 million cases of STIs worldwide among adults aged 15 - 49 years [3]. A total prevalence of about 3.7 million cases was reported in Nigeria in 2001 [4]. It probably has not changed much since . Relevant educational interventions in STIs management should enhance the capacity to reduce HIV transmission
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
