Vinoj H Sewberath Misser1, Arti Shankar2, Ashna Hindori-Mohangoo2,3, Jeffrey Wickliffe2,4, Maureen Lichtveld2,5, Dennis R A Mans1. 1. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname. 2. Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans (LA), USA. 3. Foundation for Perinatal Interventions and Research in Suriname (Perisur), Paramaribo, Suriname. 4. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama (AL), USA. 5. Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh (PA), USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Using the claims database of the State Health Foundation from 2017, the prevalence and safety of prescription medicines given to pregnant women in Suriname (South America) have been determined. METHODS: Prescription rates and proportions of the total number of prescriptions were calculated, overall and stratified for subgroups of age, region of residence, major Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical - and safety classification (Australian categorization system). Data were compared with the Σ2-test and the two samples test of proportions using normal theory method; p-values <0.01 were considered statistically significant differences. RESULTS: Average prescription rates (number of prescriptions by number of patients) were 24.0, 29.7, and 32.5 in age groups 15-29, 30-44, and 45+ years, respectively (p<0.001), and 26.4, 23.0, and 14.0 in the urban-coastal, rural-coastal, and rural-interior region, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of prescription medicines was common (rates up to 40.4), ranged from antibiotics to vitamins, and most were safe. However, 3.2% (some antibiotics and antiepileptics) belonged to safety category D, carrying a definite human fetal risk. However, the potential benefits of these drugs warranted their use in pregnant women. These findings are largely in line with literature data, although future studies must verify their generalizability to the total Surinamese population.
BACKGROUND: Using the claims database of the State Health Foundation from 2017, the prevalence and safety of prescription medicines given to pregnant women in Suriname (South America) have been determined. METHODS: Prescription rates and proportions of the total number of prescriptions were calculated, overall and stratified for subgroups of age, region of residence, major Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical - and safety classification (Australian categorization system). Data were compared with the Σ2-test and the two samples test of proportions using normal theory method; p-values <0.01 were considered statistically significant differences. RESULTS: Average prescription rates (number of prescriptions by number of patients) were 24.0, 29.7, and 32.5 in age groups 15-29, 30-44, and 45+ years, respectively (p<0.001), and 26.4, 23.0, and 14.0 in the urban-coastal, rural-coastal, and rural-interior region, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of prescription medicines was common (rates up to 40.4), ranged from antibiotics to vitamins, and most were safe. However, 3.2% (some antibiotics and antiepileptics) belonged to safety category D, carrying a definite human fetal risk. However, the potential benefits of these drugs warranted their use in pregnant women. These findings are largely in line with literature data, although future studies must verify their generalizability to the total Surinamese population.
Authors: Patricia A Cavazos-Rehg; Melissa J Krauss; Edward L Spitznagel; Kerry Bommarito; Tessa Madden; Margaret A Olsen; Harini Subramaniam; Jeffrey F Peipert; Laura Jean Bierut Journal: Matern Child Health J Date: 2015-06
Authors: Allen A Mitchell; Suzanne M Gilboa; Martha M Werler; Katherine E Kelley; Carol Louik; Sonia Hernández-Díaz Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2011-04-22 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Anders Engeland; Tone Bjørge; Kari Klungsøyr; Vidar Hjellvik; Svetlana Skurtveit; Kari Furu Journal: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf Date: 2018-06-19 Impact factor: 2.890
Authors: S W Wen; T Yang; D Krewski; Q Yang; C Nimrod; P Garner; W Fraser; O Olatunbosun; M C Walker Journal: J Perinatol Date: 2008-02-21 Impact factor: 2.521
Authors: Kristin Palmsten; Sonia Hernández-Díaz; Christina D Chambers; Helen Mogun; Sophia Lai; Todd P Gilmer; Krista F Huybrechts Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2015-09 Impact factor: 7.661
Authors: Vinoj H Sewberath Misser; Ashna D Hindori-Mohangoo; Arti Shankar; Jeffrey K Wickliffe; Maureen Y Lichtveld; Dennis R A Mans Journal: Toxics Date: 2022-08-11