Scholarlink

Background <p>Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common health issues affecting women of reproductive age, often leading to antibiotic prescriptions based on empirical diagnosis. Improper use of antibiotics can result in antibiotic resistance and treatment failure. This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic utilisation patterns, along with clinical and behavioural factors, and prescriber practices among women aged 15–45 at a district hospital in Ghana.</p> Methods <p>A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 498 women aged 15–45 years diagnosed with UTI at St. Edwards Catholic Hospital, Adugyama. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and medical record reviews. Descriptive statistics summarised antibiotic use, while chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression examined associations between prescriber type and inappropriate prescribing.</p> Results <p>Cefuroxime was the most prescribed antibiotic (65.3%), while ciprofloxacin was the most frequently used medication each week (35.7%). Laboratory testing before and after prescription was low (28.5% and 10.2%, respectively), indicating a reliance on empirical treatment. Notably, 50% reported dysuria, and 60.2% experienced symptoms lasting three months or more. Prescriber type was associated with inappropriate antibiotic use, especially among registered nurses (cOR = 13.20, 95% CI: 3.12–50.51, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001; aOR = 12.55, 95% CI: 3.12–50.51, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Recurrent UTIs were common, with 40% experiencing two UTI occurrences in the past year.</p> Conclusions <p>Empirical antibiotic use for UTIs is widespread and is often not supported by laboratory testing, thereby increasing the risk of resistance and poor treatment outcomes. Inappropriate prescriptions, particularly by nurses, emphasise the need for improved stewardship and prescriber training. Enhancing policies, education, public awareness, and diagnostics is vital for effectively managing UTIs in women of reproductive age.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Utilisation of antibiotics in the management of urinary tract infections among women of reproductive age at a district hospital in Ghana

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月7日

查看全文
  • Henry Ofosu Addo,
  • Antwi Joseph Barimah,
  • Abdul-Salam Usman,
  • Patrick Kuu-Arah,
  • Nicholas Agyepong

摘要

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common health issues affecting women of reproductive age, often leading to antibiotic prescriptions based on empirical diagnosis. Improper use of antibiotics can result in antibiotic resistance and treatment failure. This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic utilisation patterns, along with clinical and behavioural factors, and prescriber practices among women aged 15–45 at a district hospital in Ghana.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 498 women aged 15–45 years diagnosed with UTI at St. Edwards Catholic Hospital, Adugyama. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and medical record reviews. Descriptive statistics summarised antibiotic use, while chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression examined associations between prescriber type and inappropriate prescribing.

Results

Cefuroxime was the most prescribed antibiotic (65.3%), while ciprofloxacin was the most frequently used medication each week (35.7%). Laboratory testing before and after prescription was low (28.5% and 10.2%, respectively), indicating a reliance on empirical treatment. Notably, 50% reported dysuria, and 60.2% experienced symptoms lasting three months or more. Prescriber type was associated with inappropriate antibiotic use, especially among registered nurses (cOR = 13.20, 95% CI: 3.12–50.51, p < 0.001; aOR = 12.55, 95% CI: 3.12–50.51, p < 0.001). Recurrent UTIs were common, with 40% experiencing two UTI occurrences in the past year.

Conclusions

Empirical antibiotic use for UTIs is widespread and is often not supported by laboratory testing, thereby increasing the risk of resistance and poor treatment outcomes. Inappropriate prescriptions, particularly by nurses, emphasise the need for improved stewardship and prescriber training. Enhancing policies, education, public awareness, and diagnostics is vital for effectively managing UTIs in women of reproductive age.