English

Abstract

Antibiotics are drugs used for treating infectious disease such as bacterial infections, fungal infections and some parasitic infection but unwise use may contribute to resistance development and poor management of infectious diseases. Though pattern of antibiotic use was determined in different parts of Ethiopia, it is not known in Dessie referral hospital (DRH). This study aimed to assess antibiotic prescribing pattern in Dessie Referral hospital, Northeast Ethiopia, in January, 2012. Retrospective study was conducted from January 16 to 25, 2012, in the outpatient pharmacies of DRH. Prescription cards from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 were selected using random sampling techniques and reviewed using pre-tested data collection format. Finally data was edited, coded, tallied and cleaned. Descriptive statistics was computed. On review of 770 prescription papers, 378 (24.37%) antibiotics were prescribed. Antibiotics prescribed with over, under and optimum dose were 19 (5.02%), 13 (3.43%), 346 (91.53%), respectively. About 15 (4%), 10 (2.6%) and 1 (0.3%) of antibiotics were prescribed by incorrect frequency, short and extended duration of administration, respectively. The most common dosage forms of antibiotics prescribed were solutions 120 (33.3%), tablets 103 (27.24%) and capsules 72 (19.04%). Oral route 219 (58%) followed by parental route 135 (35.7%) was the most commonly used route of drug administration.  There was rational use of antibiotics in the hospital though there are some problems that have to be considered.   Key words: Antibiotics, prescription, drug, pattern.