Журнал тропических болезней и общественного здравоохранения

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Irrational use of Antibiotics and Associated Health Risks in District Charsadda, Pakistan

Muhammad Taj Akbar, Hamidullah Shah*, Shah Faisal, Abdullah, Faheem Jan, Sharif Zada, Rahma Amrani, Asma Qudrat

Antibiotics are drugs used for the treatment most of the bacterial infections. The rapid and irrational use of antibiotics presents a high risk of developing health complications and also leads to antibiotic resistance. The current study is designed to know about the ratio of irrational use of antibiotics and associated risks with it. Antibiotics remain an integral part of the prescriptions at DHQ Hospital Charsadda. Our study was based mainly on antibiotic prescriptions. A total of 500 prescriptions were examined in which 62% of the prescriptions were examined thoroughly and found rational whereas 38% were irrational. 26.98% of these irrational prescriptions were due to inaccurate doses. Additionally, 25.39% of them were prescribed for incorrect durations, indicating basic misconceptions in the prescriptions. Among the total irrational prescriptions, the frequency of antibiotics-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, and contraindications were 18.51%, 14.5%, and 14.81% respectively. Irrational use of antibiotics is a serious health threat and its consequences lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in different bacterial species. There is a need for intervention of studies in different hospitals of Pakistan to avoid irrational use and encourage rational use of antibiotics.