An Evaluation Of The Pattern Of Analgesics And Antibiotics Prescriptions Among Dental Practitioners In The Greater Accra Region Of Ghana

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics and analgesics are the two drugs frequently prescribed by dentist to manage patient condition therefore, their judicious use is necessary to ensure proper healthcare delivery to patient and to prevent negative effects due to wrong use of these medications. Aim of study and objectives: To investigate the pattern of prescription among dentist using recommended guidelines by WHO and the Ghana national standard treatment guidelines and other protocols. Also, to determine clinical and non-clinical factors that influences prescription practice of dentist. Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective, non-interventional quantitative study was employed to evaluate antibiotics and analgesics prescription pattern and factors that influences prescription pattern among dentist in Accra Sub metropolitan district. The study was conducted to include all dentists who were present at the four health facilities during the period of June and July 2019. Informed Consent was sought from the and study questionnaire was distributed to all participants present who agreed to participate. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and a data form. Data was analyzed using STATA 15 and p-value<0.05 was considered be considered significant. Results: a total of 36 out of 48 questionnaires were returned. 19 male respondents and 17 female respondents. GDP were majority of respondents 83.33%. Amoxicillin was the most prescribed antibiotics 20 (30.30%) followed closely behind by metronidazole 17(25.76%). Antibiotics were mostly prescribed as combination (polypharmacy) that is 27 (69%) of encounters with antibiotics prescribed. Concurrently, the most preferred first line antibiotics of choice indicated by dentists were amoxicillin and metronidazole accounting for 42.19% and 25.00% of response respectively. Antibiotics were mostly prescribed after dental extractions 64.1% and to patients who reported with localized abscess 51.28%. Paracetamol was the most prescribed (65.85%) and preferred analgesics (46.05%), followed by NSAIDS. Sex of dental prescribers was determined to be statistically significant factor on patient’s knowledge on antibiotics and source of information on prescribed drugs, p<0.05. Conclusion; In this study the preferred antibiotics and most prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin and metronidazole, and were mostly prescribed together. These medications were mostly prescribed without evidence since culture and sensitivity reports was not requested which may lead to irrational use. Sex as a factor was proven to have influence on the source of knowledge on prescribed drugs and knowledge on some prescribed antibiotics, with most female respondents not indicating scientific publication as sources of information on prescribed medication and a greater proportion exhibiting poor knowledge on some prescribed antibiotics. Number of years of practice, age of dentist, specialty, and hospital facility did not have any influence on their prescription behavior. Patient demand and pharmaceutical promotion were also proven to have minimal effect on the prescribing behavior of dentist.