IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i19p12413-d929063.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Compliance to Guidelines in Prescribing Empirical Antibiotics for Individuals with Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection in a Primary Health Facility of Ghana, 2019–2021

Author

Listed:
  • Helena Owusu

    (Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra P.O. Box KB77, Ghana)

  • Pruthu Thekkur

    (Centre for Operational Research, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), 75001 Paris, France
    The Union South-East Asia Office (The USEA), New Delhi 110016, India)

  • Jacklyne Ashubwe-Jalemba

    (Medwise Solutions, Nairobi P.O. Box 2356-00202 KNH, Kenya)

  • George Kwesi Hedidor

    (World Health Organization Country Office, Roman Ridge, Accra P.O. Box MB142, Ghana)

  • Oksana Corquaye

    (Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra P.O. Box KB77, Ghana)

  • Asiwome Aggor

    (Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra P.O. Box KB77, Ghana)

  • Allen Steele-Dadzie

    (Polyclinic/Family Medicine Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra P.O. Box KB77, Ghana)

  • Daniel Ankrah

    (Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra P.O. Box KB77, Ghana)

Abstract

Increasing trends in antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens call for rational use of empirical antibiotics for managing uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). In Ghana, standard treatment guidelines (STGs) for UTI recommend oral ciprofloxacin or cefuroxime for 5–7 days in females and 10–14 days in males. We conducted a cross-sectional audit using electronic medical records (EMR) to assess compliance to the STGs among adults (≥18 years) with uncomplicated UTIs diagnosed in a primary health facility between October 2019 and October 2021. Among 3717 patients, 71% were females and all had complete prescription details in the EMR. Of all the patients, 83% were prescribed empirical antibiotics, of whom 88% received oral ciprofloxacin or cefuroxime. Only 68% were prescribed antibiotics for the correct duration, which was significantly lower among males (10%) compared to females (90%). Among patients who received antibiotics, 60% were prescribed in line with the STGs. The results call for feedback to physicians about poor compliance to STGs with duration of antibiotic prescribed. Recommendations on 10–14 days duration of antibiotics for males needs to be reassessed and necessary amendments to STGs can be made. Leveraging the well-established EMR system, a real-time audit-feedback mechanism can be instituted to improve compliance with STGs.

Suggested Citation

  • Helena Owusu & Pruthu Thekkur & Jacklyne Ashubwe-Jalemba & George Kwesi Hedidor & Oksana Corquaye & Asiwome Aggor & Allen Steele-Dadzie & Daniel Ankrah, 2022. "Compliance to Guidelines in Prescribing Empirical Antibiotics for Individuals with Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection in a Primary Health Facility of Ghana, 2019–2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12413-:d:929063
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12413/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12413/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert Kaba Alhassan & Edward Nketiah-Amponsah & Daniel Kojo Arhinful, 2016. "A Review of the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana: What Are the Sustainability Threats and Prospects?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(11), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Huihui Wang & Nathaniel Otoo & Lydia Dsane-Selby, 2017. "Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 27658.
    3. Martin Amogre Ayanore & Milena Pavlova & Nuworza Kugbey & Adam Fusheini & John Tetteh & Augustine Adoliba Ayanore & James Akazili & Philip Baba Adongo & Wim Groot, 2019. "Health insurance coverage, type of payment for health insurance, and reasons for not being insured under the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-15, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kwame Adjei-Mantey & Charles Yuji Horioka, 2023. "Determinants of health insurance enrollment and health expenditure in Ghana: an empirical analysis," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1269-1288, December.
    2. Martin Amogre Ayanore & Milena Pavlova & Nuworza Kugbey & Adam Fusheini & John Tetteh & Augustine Adoliba Ayanore & James Akazili & Philip Baba Adongo & Wim Groot, 2019. "Health insurance coverage, type of payment for health insurance, and reasons for not being insured under the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Isaac Koomson & Abdallah Abdul-Mumuni & Anthony Abbam, 2021. "Effect of financial inclusion on out-of-pocket health expenditure: empirics from Ghana," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 22(9), pages 1411-1425, December.
    4. Dunsch, Felipe Alexander & Velenyi, Edit, 2019. "Job Preferences of Frontline Health Workers in Ghana - A Discrete Choice Experiment," SocArXiv bqx5k, Center for Open Science.
    5. Atakorah, Yaw Boateng & Arthur, Eric & Osei-Fosu, Anthony Kofi & Novignon, Jacob, 2024. "Economic inequalities in health insurance subscription renewal: Evidence from Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    6. Patrick Opoku Asuming & Hyuncheol Bryant Kim & Armand Sim, 2024. "Selection and behavioral responses of health insurance subsidies in the long run: Evidence from a field experiment in Ghana," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(5), pages 992-1032, May.
    7. Patrick Opoku Asuming & Hyuncheol Bryant Kim & Armand Sim, 2021. "Selection and Behavioral Responses of Health Insurance Subsidies in the Long Run: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Ghana," Papers 2105.00617, arXiv.org.
    8. Maxwell Ayindenaba Dalaba & Paul Welaga & Abraham Oduro & Laata Latif Danchaka & Chieko Matsubara, 2018. "Cost of malaria treatment and health seeking behaviour of children under-five years in the Upper West Region of Ghana," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, April.
    9. Osei Afriyie, Doris & Loo, Pei Shan & Kuwawenaruwa, August & Kassimu, Tani & Fink, Günther & Tediosi, Fabrizio & Mtenga, Sally, 2024. "Understanding the role of the Tanzania national health insurance fund in improving service coverage and quality of care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    10. Hubert Amu & Kwamena Sekyi Dickson & Akwasi Kumi-Kyereme & Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh, 2018. "Understanding variations in health insurance coverage in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania: Evidence from demographic and health surveys," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(8), pages 1-14, August.
    11. Marion Ravit & Andrainolo Ravalihasy & Martine Audibert & Valery Ridde & Emmanuel Bonnet & Bertille Raffalli & Flore-Apolline Roy & Anais N’landu & Alexandre Dumont, 2020. "The impact of the obstetrical risk insurance scheme in Mauritania on maternal healthcare utilization: a propensity score matching analysis," Post-Print hal-02509190, HAL.
    12. Cherri Zhang & Md Shafiur Rahman & Md Mizanur Rahman & Alfred E Yawson & Kenji Shibuya, 2019. "Trends and projections of universal health coverage indicators in Ghana, 1995-2030: A national and subnational study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, May.
    13. Bagnoli, Lisa, 2019. "Does health insurance improve health for all? Heterogeneous effects on children in Ghana," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 1-1.
    14. Adolf Kwadzo Dzampe & Shingo Takahashi, 2022. "Competition and physician-induced demand in a healthcare market with regulated price: evidence from Ghana," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 295-313, September.
    15. Addo, Rebecca & Hall, Jane & Haas, Marion & Goodall, Stephen, 2020. "The knowledge and attitude of Ghanaian decision-makers and researchers towards health technology assessment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    16. Elisabeth Paul & N’koué Emmanuel Sambiéni & Jean-Pierre Wangbe & Fabienne Fecher & Marc Bourgeois, 2020. "Budgeting challenges on the path towards universal health coverage: the case of Benin," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    17. Indah Puspasari Kiay Demak & Diah Mutiarasari & Elli Yane Bangkele, 2019. "Does the Payment Method Affect Patient Satisfaction? An Analytical Study in 10 Hospitals in Central Sulawesi," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(5), pages 123-123, May.
    18. Hubert Amu & Abdul-Aziz Seidu & Ebenezer Agbaglo & Robert Kokou Dowou & Edward Kwabena Ameyaw & Bright Opoku Ahinkorah & Kwaku Kissah-Korsah, 2021. "Mixed effects analysis of factors associated with health insurance coverage among women in sub-Saharan Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, March.
    19. Monica Ewomazino Akokuwebe & Erhabor Sunday Idemudia, 2022. "A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence and Determinants of Health Insurance Coverage in Nigeria and South Africa: A Multi-Country Analysis of Demographic Health Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-26, February.
    20. Patricia Akweongo & Samuel Tamti Chatio & Richmond Owusu & Paola Salari & Fabrizio Tedisio & Moses Aikins, 2021. "How does it affect service delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana? Health providers and insurance managers perspective on submission and reimbursement of claims," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12413-:d:929063. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.