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.
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