Patterns of infections and antimicrobial drugs’ prescribing among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study

Abstract Background Antimicrobial agents are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in pregnancy due to the increased susceptibility to infections during pregnancy. Antimicrobials can contribute to different maternal complications. Therefore, it is important to study their patterns in prescription and utilization. The data regarding this issue is scarce in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to generate data on the antimicrobial agents that are most commonly prescribed during pregnancy as well as their indications and safety. Methods This is a retrospective study focusing on pregnant women with a known antimicrobial use at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH). The sample included 344 pregnant women with a total of 688 antimicrobial agents prescribed. Data was collected on the proportion of pregnant women who received antimicrobial agents and on the drug safety during pregnancy using the risk categorization system of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Results The results showed that urinary tract infections (UTIs) were the most reported (59%) infectious diseases. Around 48% of pregnant women received antimicrobial medications at some point during pregnancy. The top two antimicrobial agents based on prescription frequency were B-lactams (44.6%) and azole anti-fungals (30%). The prescribed drugs in the study were found to be from classes B, C and D under the FDA risk classification system. Conclusion The study revealed a high proportion of antimicrobials prescribed during pregnancy that might pose risks to mothers and their fetuses. Future multicenter studies are warranted to evaluate the rational prescription of antimicrobial medications during pregnancy.

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Patterns of Infections and Antimicrobial Drugs’ Prescribing among Pregnant Women in Saudi Arabia

10.21203/rs.2.21620/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mohamed A Baraka ◽

Lina Hussain AlLehaibi ◽

Hind Nasser AlSuwaidan ◽

Duaa Alsulaiman ◽

Mohamed Ashraful Islam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Prescribing Practices ◽

Maternal Complications ◽

Antimicrobial Drugs ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Categorization System ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Increased Susceptibility

Abstract Background Antimicrobial agents are considered among the most commonly prescribed drugs in pregnancy given the increased susceptibility of infections during pregnancy. Antimicrobials can contribute to different maternal complications. Therefore, it is important to study their prescribing and utilization pattern. Such type of data regarding this issue is scarce in Saudi Arabia and this encouraged us to conduct this research. The aim of this study is to generate data about the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents during pregnancy, as well as their indicators and safety. Methods This is a retrospective study focusing on pregnant women with a known antimicrobial consumption at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH). The sample size was 344 pregnant women with 688 antimicrobial prescriptions. Data was collected about prevalence of infections and antimicrobial prescriptions in addition to drug safety during pregnancy using FDA risk categorization system. Results The results showed that Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) were the most reported (59%) infectious diseases. Around 48% of pregnant women received antimicrobial medications at some point during their pregnancy. The top two antimicrobial agents based on prescription frequency were B-lactams (44.6%) and azole anti-fungals (30%). The prescribed drugs in the study were found to be from B, C and D classes according to the FDA risk classification system. Conclusion Overall antimicrobial prescribing practices were appropriate. The study revealed a high prevalence of antimicrobials prescribing during pregnancy that might pose risks to mothers and their fetuses. Future multi center studies are warranted to evaluate the rational prescribing of antimicrobial medications during pregnancy.

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Urinary tract infections and antibiotic susceptibility among the patients attending B & D hospital of Lalitpur, Nepal

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3126/ajms.v7i5.14908 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 47-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yadav Prasad Joshi ◽

Shreejeet Shrestha ◽

Russell Kabir ◽

Anita Thapa ◽

Parbati Upreti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tract Infections

Background:Urinary tract infection is the most common bacterial infections in humans and serious health problem in many parts of the world. It has become more complicated in treatment due to different pathogens and increasing resistant to antimicrobial agents. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of urinary tract infection and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of pathogens among the patients attending in B & B hospital Nepal.Materials and Methods:A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in between April 2010 to March 2011. Urine samples were collected from clinically suspected patients and tested bacteriologically using standard procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed for isolated pathogen using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.Results:Out of 1260 examined specimens 25.24 % were positive and majority 61.64% were females. The most common pathogens isolated were Escherichia coli (66.67%), Enterococcus (7.55%) and Staphylococcus (6.60 %). The drug resistant among the positive cases were reported. The highest resistant of positive cases was found with Cefexime (87.88%) and Enterococcus with Ampicillin (66.67%) and Staphyllococcus with Cloxacillin (66.67%). The highest susceptibility was for Vancomycin and Ampicillin i.e. 33.33% in each.Conclusion:The findings showed that E. coli isolates were the predominant pathogen and the presence of bacterial isolates with very high resistance to the commonly prescribed drugs. As drug resistance among bacterial pathogens is an evolving process and serious issue. Therefore, routine surveillance and monitoring studies should be conducted to provide physicians knowledge on the updated and most effective empirical treatment of UTIs. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 47-51

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An evaluation of the different types of labor pain relief, preferred methods of pain relief, and effects of social media on awareness and knowledge among pregnant women. A cross-sectional study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Medical Journal ◽

10.15537/smj.2019.9.24511 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (9) ◽

pp. 914-921

Author(s):

Majed Alshahrani

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Pain Relief ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Labor Pain ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Different Types

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Knowledge, attitude and current practices of pregnant women towards group B streptococcus screening: cross-sectional study, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032487 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. e032487

Author(s):

Amer Alshengeti ◽

Amjad Alharbi ◽

Shahad Alraddadi ◽

Abdulsalam Alawfi ◽

Bushra Aljohani

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Group B Streptococcus ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Screening Strategies ◽

Group B ◽

Universal Culture

AimsGroup B streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most frequent bacterial pathogens causing invasive infections in neonates. It can be transmitted from colonised mother to neonates around delivery. Screening strategies for GBS during pregnancy include either universal culture-based or risk-based screening. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and current practices of pregnant women towards GBS screening in Al-Madinah City, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Madinah Maternity and Children Hospital, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from May to July 2018. Participants were recruited from postnatal wards. Participants were interviewed using a previously published validated survey that was divided into the following domains: demographic data, knowledge, experience and attitude towards different GBS screening strategies.ResultsA total of 377 out of 450 women (response rate 83.7%) were enrolled. The results showed that the overall mean knowledge score of the pregnant women towards GBS screening was 59.8%. Majority of the women (66.8%) were not aware of the GBS bacterium, while 86.5% of them had never been informed of GBS risk assessment during their pregnancies. The mean knowledge score among women who were aware of GBS (62.8%) was significantly higher than that among women who were not (58.4%) (p=0.015). However, majority of the pregnant women (61.8%) showed preference for universal culture-based GBS screening strategy over risk-based strategy.ConclusionThe study results have concluded that the level of awareness and knowledge about GBS among pregnant women were relatively poor; however, majority of the pregnant women prefer universal culture-based screening.

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Do we need to screen and treat pregnant women for subclinical hypothyroidism? A cross sectional study in a rural tertiary centre in Kerala, India

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20170470 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 781

Author(s):

Radha K. R. ◽

Nishu Sugunan ◽

Resmy C. R.

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽

Universal Screening ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Maternal Complications ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neonatal Hypothyroidism ◽

In Pregnancy

Background: Hypothyroidism (HT) is associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity. Subclinical HT rather than overt occur in pregnancy, because overt HT causes infertility. Treatment of overt HT was beneficial in reducing the fetal and maternal complications, Usefulness of correcting subclinical hypothyroidism was doubtful, hence Universal screening of pregnant women was not recommended.Methods: Cross sectional study, conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India. 50 consecutive cases of subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy were analyzed for Thyroid function, antenatal, natal, postnatal complications. Perinatal complications, including neonatal hypothyroidism also noted. Statistical analysis done using computer software Epi info3.4. Data expressed in its frequency and percentage, continuous data in mean.Results: All women in the study group received levothyroxine during pregnancy from time of diagnosis. At the time of delivery 84% women were euthyroid and 16% hypothyroid. Complications like anemia 36%, abruption 4%, and postpartum hemorrhage 6% showed a statistically significant association, while pre-eclampsia 20%, preterm labor 22% had no statistically significant association. Comparing the women who are euthyroid as a result of levothyroxine supplementation to women inadequately treated, complications like anemia (33% versus 50%, p value 0.042), abruption (0% versus 4%, p value0.023), PPH (2% versus 6%, p value 0.014) were significantly less in well controlled.Conclusions: Significant association was noted between inadequately treated hypothyroidism and maternal complications like anaemia, placental abruption, placenta previa, PPH, preterm delivery, and caesarean section rate for foetal distress. Universal screening of pregnant women for thyroid status is recommended.

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Self-medication among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Tertiary Care Center of Nepal

Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Science ◽

10.3126/jmcjms.v8i2.33971 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 5-10

Author(s):

Ajit Kumar Sah ◽

Anish Giri ◽

Anjan Palikhey ◽

Roshan Kumar Chaurasiya ◽

Sudeep Kumar Yadav

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Care Center ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Antenatal Clinic ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Tertiary Care Center ◽

Self Medication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tract Infections

Background and Objectives: Self-medication can cause significant challenges for the individuals and community, especially in women during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication among the pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary care center of Nepal. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 225 pregnant women were evaluated for the prevalence of self-medication during pregnancy. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis of data. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of self-medication, in pregnant women was 41.3%. The leading illness/ symptoms which led to self-medication among pregnant women attending clinic were to relieve headaches 29 (31.2%), cough 21 (22.6%), vomiting 13 (14%), treat fever 11 (11.8%), urinary tract infections 11 (11.8%) and drugs commonly reported for self-medication were paracetamol (30.10%), cough remedies (19.30%), antiemetics (16.13%), analgesics (10.75%). Conclusion: Prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women is high in Nepal. This is a threat to the safety of the developing foetus and the pregnant woman. Therefore, it seems necessary to provide public trainings for all women of reproductive age and train them about the dangers and side effects of self-medication.

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Maternal serum zinc levels and urinary tract infections among pregnant women at a tertiary hospital in Lusaka, Zambia: a cross-sectional study

International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20213359 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1062

Author(s):

John Musaba ◽

Moses Mukosha ◽

Lubinda Mukololo ◽

Bellington Vwalika

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Serum Zinc ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Maternal Serum ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Serum Zn ◽

Tract Infections

Background: Micronutrient deficiency is one of the leading public health problems, particularly in lower-middle-income countries. The link between serum zinc (Zn) levels and urinary tract infections (UTIs) among pregnant women is still poorly understood. We investigated the association between maternal serum Zn levels and UTIs among pregnant women at women and newborn hospital in Lusaka, Zambia.Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study among 228 pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years between 1 September and 30 November 2019. Serum Zn levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), whereas UTIs were determined based on the local hospital guidelines. We used the logistic regression model to determine the association between Zn levels and UTIs. The analysis was done at a significance level of 5% and 95% confidence interval.Results: Of the total participants, 118/228 (51.75%) tested positive for UTIs from urine culture. The mean serum Zn levels in the group diagnosed with UTIs were 53.95 ug/dl (SD=35.10), while in those who had no UTIs, it was 50.05 ug/dl (SD=35.10). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, we found no evidence of an association between serum Zn levels and UTIs (p=0.435).Conclusions: From the study findings, there was no association between serum Zn levels and UTIs. This result suggests that Zn may not have any role in urinary tract infection. Nevertheless, more extensive studies are needed to confirm our findings.

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Periodontal Disease in Pregnant Women and Impact on in Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i50a33397 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 210-219

Author(s):

Reham M. Al-Hawiti ◽

Sarah H. Al-Qahtani ◽

Abdullah Bedaiwi ◽

Asma A. Alharbi

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Periodontal Disease ◽

Marital Status ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Educational Level ◽

Alveolar Bone ◽

Good Practice ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Periodontal disease is amongst the top ten most common diseases to affect humans and the leading cause of tooth loss for adults, so it’s important to be aware of the condition and how it can develop.Periodontitis is an inflammatory process initiated by bacterial plaque involving the supporting structures of the tooth which include the gingiva, the junctional epithelium, root cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-managed questionnaire conducted among 127 pregnant women in King Salman Armed Forces Hospital in Tabuk region, Saudi Arabia (2020). Results: the study found that 69.3% of cases had symptoms of periodontitis. Also, the study found that there were no significant correlations betweensymptoms of periodontitis and all variables like; age group, marital status, educational level, employment, number of children, brushing daily, and visiting dental clinic during pregnancy (p>0.05). As regards symptoms of periodontitisassociated with pregnancy, our study reported that 56.7% had Bleeding per gum, 44.9% had gum swelling and 40.9% had an offensive odor from the mouth. Conclusion: The study concluded that the majority of pregnant women cases had periodontitis and there was no significant association found with different variables like age, educational level, marital status. Also, there was good practice and attitude toward pregnancy-associated periodontitis.

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