PRESCRIBING PATTERN IN A PEDIATRIC OUTPATIENTS CLINIC OF A SECONDARY HEALTHCARE FACILITY IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
UFUOMA SHALOM AHWINAHWI1*, VALENTINE UCHE ODILI2, RACHAEL EJIROGHENE EGHWRUDJE1
1. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University, Abraka-Nigeria.
2. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin-city
Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 13(1):018-025 (2021)
ABSTRACT
Appropriate prescribing enhances rational use of medicines which ultimately reduces drug-related problems. This study evaluated the prescribing pattern of medicines to patient under age five attending an out-patient pediatric clinic. This study was done at the “Under-five” pharmacy unit of Central hospital Warri, Delta State Nigeria. Prescriptions of patients under five years of age who visited the unit from 20th August – 20thNovember 2018 were assessed using the WHO prescribing indicators. Descriptive statistical analysis was done to determine the mean number of drugs prescribed and the percentages of encounters for other WHO prescribing indicators. Pearson chi square test was also performed to determine relationship between these indicators. A total of 1408 drugs and an average of 3.05±1.02 drugs were prescribed in the 462 prescriptions assessed. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names was 67.83%. The percentage of encounters with antibiotics and injections prescribed was 69.04% and 0% respectively. Percentage of drugs prescribed from the Essential Drugs List was 94.03%. There was significant relationship between number of drugs prescribed and number of diagnosis(P<0.001) and between number of drugs prescribed and the occurrence of antibiotics in a prescription (P<0.001). Irrational prescribing of antibiotics was detected and this is a major concern in this age group which is particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Email of correspondence: ushaloma@yahoo.com
KEYWORDS: Prescribing indicators; Pediatrics; Rational drug use.