Abstract

PRESCRIBING TRENDS OF ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS IN A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN DELTA STATE

Arute John E.*, Ojieabu Winifred A., Patani-Okolosi Omotejohwo E., Iwor Chioma P.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Malaria is one of the most prevalent and devastating diseases in the tropics. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prescribing pattern of antimalarial drugs in a primary health care centre using WHO current guidelines and WHO prescribing indicators. Methods: A retrospective study of prescriptions of antimalarials between January 2009 and December 2013 was carried out by systematic random sampling among outpatients aged 0-100 in a Primary Health Care Centre at Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State Nigeria. Data was collected and recorded using a WHO Prescriber Indicator Form. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages with the aid of Microsoft Excel. Results: Of the 1030 prescriptions selected, 733 were antimalarial prescriptions. Malaria prevalence was higher in the age group 0-10 (55.5%). Combination therapy was 75% of the 733 prescriptions and the commonest combination treatment was Artemether-Lumefantrine (63.7%). The average number of drugs per encounter was 4.6. The percentage of antimalarial drugs prescribed by generic name was 43.1. The percentage of antimalarial prescriptions with antibiotics and an injection were 30.2 and 24.3 respectively. The percentage of antimalarials prescribed from the EDL was 97.6. Conclusion: The pattern of antimalarial drug prescription in this study is in tandem with the current WHO guidelines on the treatment of uncomplicated malaria with most of the prescriptions being Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT).

Keywords: Malaria, Antimalarials, Prescriptions, Prescribing Indicators.