A STUDY TO EVALUATE USAGE OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AT PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES AND URBAN HEALTH CENTRES IN AHMEDABAD DISTRICT

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the use and the impact of interventions on the use of antimicrobial agents (AMAs) at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Urban Health Centres (UHCs) in Ahmedabad district. Materials and methods: This was an interventional and prospective study carried out at 5 PHCs and 5 UHCs of ahmedabad district. In pre-intervention phase, 30 adult patients from each centre who were prescribed AMAs were included. Educational interventions were done for the prescribers by giving them booklet and by PowerPoint presentation about the use of AMAs for common diseases observed in the pre-intervention phase. In post-intervention phase, similar to pre-intervention phase, 30 adult patients from each centre i.e. 5 PHCs and 5 UHCs who were prescribed AMA were included. The impact of intervention and appropriateness of AMA use was measured using Modified Kunin’s Criteria. Results: Amongst a total of 300 patients, i.e. 150 each from PHCs and UHCs, the most commonly AMAs used were metronidazole and doxycycline respectively in pre-intervention phase. According to modified Kunin’s criteria, appropriate antimicrobial treatment was given to only 12% patients at PHCs and 6.67% patients at UHCs in pre-intervention phase. In the post-intervention phase (n=300) the most commonly used AMAs were same as in pre-intervention phase. Appropriate antimicrobial treatment according to modified Kunin’s criteria was given to 20% patients at PHCs and 9.33% patients at UHCs in post-intervention phase. Conclusion:  AMAs were not appropriately prescribed at PHCs and UHCs according to modified Kunin’s criteria, but educational intervention improved it but not significantly.