Rationality Analysis of Antibiotic Use

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 90 views

Introduction

The use of antibiotics has become a common practice in the treatment of bacterial infections worldwide. However, the misuse of antibiotics can have severe consequences, including the development of antibiotic resistance and adverse reactions in patients. Therefore, it is essential to use antibiotics rationally, taking into account the right indication, dose, frequency of use, and duration of treatment. This study aims to analyze the profile of antibiotic use in outpatient pediatric patients at Gunungsitoli Nias Regional Hospital during the period January to April 2016.

Background

Antibiotics are the most commonly used drugs to treat bacterial infections. However, their misuse can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance, making it challenging to treat infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the importance of using antibiotics rationally to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance. In Indonesia, the use of antibiotics in pediatric patients is a significant concern, as it can lead to adverse reactions and the development of antibiotic resistance.

Methodology

This study used a retrospective descriptive research method, with data collection carried out in July to August 2016. The total population of 416 recipes was analyzed, with a sample size of 133 prescription pediatric patients who met the inclusion criteria. The antibiotics used were analyzed based on the 4T criteria, which includes appropriate indications, doses, frequencies, and duration.

Results

The results of this study showed that the most common antibiotic prescribing pattern was from the cephalosporin group, which reached 40.67%. Among this group, Cefadroxil dominated with a percentage of 30.67%, followed by Cefixime, which reached 10.00%. The most common disease treated was acute respiratory infections (ARI), which includes 30.07% of all cases. The most frequently prescribed dosage form was syrup, which reaches 31.33%. In addition, the most common type of recipe was a single recipe, which includes 87.21% of the total recipes.

Rationality Analysis of Antibiotic Use

The rationality analysis of antibiotic use based on the 4T criteria showed that 35.33% of the recipes were included in the rational category, while the other 64.67% were classified as irrational. Further details indicate that there are 5.99% of cases with irrational indications, 49.32% irrational doses, 8.00% Frequency of irrational use, and 23.32% duration of irrational use.

Discussion

The findings of this study indicate that although the use of cephalosporin antibiotics is quite high, there is still a large proportion of the use of irrational antibiotics in pediatric patients. This shows the need for further attention to increase the knowledge and practice of prescription among medical personnel, as well as increasing awareness of the use of appropriate antibiotics to prevent the negative impact of the use of antibiotics that are not appropriate. With a more measurable and evidence-based approach, it is expected that rationality in antibiotic prescribing can be improved, for the safety and health of pediatric patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of using antibiotics rationally in outpatient pediatric patients at Gunungsitoli Nias Regional Hospital. The findings of this study emphasize the need for further attention to increase the knowledge and practice of prescription among medical personnel, as well as increasing awareness of the use of appropriate antibiotics to prevent the negative impact of the use of antibiotics that are not appropriate. With a more measurable and evidence-based approach, it is expected that rationality in antibiotic prescribing can be improved, for the safety and health of pediatric patients.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase awareness of the use of appropriate antibiotics: Medical personnel should be aware of the importance of using antibiotics rationally and the potential consequences of misuse.
Improve knowledge and practice of prescription: Medical personnel should receive training on the proper use of antibiotics, including the right indication, dose, frequency of use, and duration of treatment.
Implement a more measurable and evidence-based approach: A more measurable and evidence-based approach should be implemented to improve rationality in antibiotic prescribing.
Monitor and evaluate antibiotic use: Antibiotic use should be monitored and evaluated regularly to identify areas for improvement.

By implementing these recommendations, it is expected that rationality in antibiotic prescribing can be improved, for the safety and health of pediatric patients.

Q: What is the importance of using antibiotics rationally?

A: Using antibiotics rationally is crucial to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance, which can make infections harder to treat. It also helps to reduce the risk of adverse reactions in patients.

Q: What are the 4T criteria for rational antibiotic use?

A: The 4T criteria include:

Target: The antibiotic should be used to treat a specific bacterial infection.
Time: The antibiotic should be used for the right duration of treatment.
Threshold: The antibiotic should be used at the right dose and frequency.
Tolerance: The antibiotic should be used in a way that is tolerable by the patient.

Q: What are the most common antibiotics used in pediatric patients?

A: The most common antibiotics used in pediatric patients include cephalosporins, such as Cefadroxil and Cefixime.

Q: What is the most common disease treated with antibiotics in pediatric patients?

A: The most common disease treated with antibiotics in pediatric patients is acute respiratory infections (ARI).

Q: What is the most frequently prescribed dosage form of antibiotics in pediatric patients?

A: The most frequently prescribed dosage form of antibiotics in pediatric patients is syrup.

Q: What is the most common type of recipe for antibiotics in pediatric patients?

A: The most common type of recipe for antibiotics in pediatric patients is a single recipe.

Q: What percentage of antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric patients are irrational?

A: According to the study, 64.67% of antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric patients are irrational.

Q: What are the common reasons for irrational antibiotic use in pediatric patients?

A: The common reasons for irrational antibiotic use in pediatric patients include:

Irrational indications: Using antibiotics to treat viral infections or other non-bacterial infections.
Irrational doses: Using antibiotics at doses that are too high or too low.
Irrational frequency: Using antibiotics too frequently or infrequently.
Irrational duration: Using antibiotics for too long or too short a duration.

Q: What can be done to improve rationality in antibiotic prescribing in pediatric patients?

A: To improve rationality in antibiotic prescribing in pediatric patients, medical personnel should receive training on the proper use of antibiotics, and awareness of the use of appropriate antibiotics should be increased. A more measurable and evidence-based approach should also be implemented to monitor and evaluate antibiotic use.

Q: Why is it essential to monitor and evaluate antibiotic use in pediatric patients?

A: Monitoring and evaluating antibiotic use in pediatric patients is essential to identify areas for improvement and to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. It also helps to reduce the risk of adverse reactions in patients.