ASSESSMENT OF DISEASES AND THEIR MEDICATION MANAGEMENTS AT TWO HEALTH CENTERS ON WILBERFORCE ISLAND IN BAYELSA STATE OF NIGER DELTA AREA, NIGERIA
Ganiyu KA*, Owonaro PA, Adjerebe C
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 8(2): 115-121 ; Nov/Dec 2016
ABSTRACT
Importance of assessment of medication management of diseases at a given facility is informed by the need to ascertain that patients requiring treatments are being offered medications in line with local essential drug list and treatment guidelines, supported by WHO drug use standards. The purpose of this study was to assess incidence of diseases and their medication management at Niger Delta University Health Center (NDUHC) and Amassoma Comprehensive Health Center (ACHC) in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Six hundred and sixty eight and 553 case notes belonging to patients who attended NDUHC and ACHC from January 1st to December 31st, 2014 were reviewed retrospectively using systematic random sampling technique. They were assessed for diagnoses and pattern of medication use, including associated drug related problems (DRPs). Data were analyzed as appropriate, and p-value <0.05 at 2-tailed considered significant. Mean patients’ ages at NDUHC and ACHC were 26.08±8.97and 23.01±20.70 years (p<0.05) with average numbers of disease diagnosed per encounter of 1.40±0.63 and 1.94±0.68 (p<0.0001) respectively. Incidences of malaria of 39.4 % (at NDUHC) and 39.1% (at ACHC) were the highest of all diagnoses, and the most prescribed medications were antibacterials (18.9%; 28.6%), analgesics (22.5%; 20.9%), and multivitamins (16.6%; 18.1%). The respective average numbers of drugs prescribed per encounter at the NDUHC and ACHC were 4.0 ± 1.40 and 4.32 ± 1.12 (p<0.0001). Mean numbers of DRPs per encounter were 0.70±0.81 (at NDUHC) and 1.60±0.52 (at ACHC), (p<0.0001), while unnecessary drug therapy (40.2%; 44.0%) and need for additional drug therapy (35.1%; 27.4%) were the most encountered DRPs at the respective facilities. Malaria was the most prevalent condition treated and prescription patterns were sub-optimal in both health centers. There is a need for adequate training and retraining of healthcare personnel who work at health centers in this locality for effective patient care.
KEYWORDS: Community Health Workers, Drug related problems, Health center, Medication use, Niger Delta
*Corresponding Author: pharmkenny@gmail.com