Antimicrobial Prescription Practices in the Veterinary Clinics of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the adherence of animal health workers to rational antimicrobial prescription guidelines. Data were collected from personnel working in 25 clinics by using structured  questionnaires. The data included the methods of diagnosis and drug selection, the frequently prescribed antimicrobials, methods of prescription and the availability of drug information sources. The study showed that diagnosis was established on a presumptive basis; pen-strep and oxytetracycline were the frequently prescribed drugs and verbal instruction was a common form of prescription. Adherence to the rational guidelines was substantially low and the prescription practices favor the selection of drug resistant pathogens. Educational programs are needed to ensure the perceived benefit of animals and reduce the rates of emergence of drug resistant pathogens of animal origin in Ethiopia.

Keywords: Addis Ababa, Animals, Antimicrobials, Health workers, Prescriptions