Use of Injections and Antibiotics and Profile of Health Workers in Rural Primary Health Care Facilities in North-western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The advent of injections and antibiotics into medicine remain laudable landmarks. However, the inappropriate and/or overuse of the same as prescription drugs are recognized public health challenges, globally. Carrying untoward effects on people and healthsystems,  this menace has remained unnoticed at the primary level of healthcare.
Objective: To investigate the pattern of antibiotics and injections usage in rural Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in north-western Nigeria and the profile of health personnel working therein; and recommend strategies for improvement.
Methods: A retrospective audit and analysis of prescriptions issued over a three-month period in rural PHC centres with the aid of a checklist developed based on standard indicators for investigating drug use in PHC facilities. The PHC centres used were selected by simple random
sampling technique.
Results: A total of 4,255 prescriptions issued in the selected rural PHC facilities over a three month period were studied. About 3,364 of these prescriptions (79.06%) included injections; while 2,790 prescriptions (65.57%) included antibiotics, among other drugs. Most of the personnel serving in these facilities were auxiliary health workers- no physicians or pharmacists were employed in the PHC centres studied.
Conclusion: Evidence shows high scale, inappropriate and overuse of injections and antibiotics in rural PHCs; and a paucity of skilled manpower.