Utilization of standard treatment guidelines (STG) at primary health facilities, Magu district, Tanzania

Abstract

Objective: Standard Treatment Guideline (STG) is an essential structural resource component for quality of care in health facilities. In Tanzania less information is available on STG availability, prescriber’s awareness and adherence to its use in line with WHO recommendations
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was done to assess utilisation of STG, using data from 647 prescriptions recorded within a year and interviews with all 40 prescribers from randomly selected 22 public and private primary health facilities (PHF). Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0 to find prescribers use and adherence to STG.
Results: We found that the use of STG in public and private PHF to be 49.6% and 58.9% respectively. About 23% of the facilities did not have STG available and 47% had misplaced them. About 37.5% of prescribers were not aware of the existence of STG while those working in private facilities (50%) were slightly more aware than public (44%). Of those who were aware 86% were using the STG more frequently. About half of the prescriptions 51% were written in line with STG. (2007), Private dispensaries were significantly more adherent 59% compared with public dispensaries 50% respectively and (p value < 0.05).Most prescribers stated that, the language of STG was not clear. They appeared to lack sensitazation and efficient supervision.
Conclusion: The awareness and use of STG at the primary health facilities was sub-optimal. There is a need to increase sensitization of the tools and supervision. Further studies on patient prescriptions from large sample size using exit interviews, and less reliance on self-reported use of STG by prescribers is recommended.

Key words: Standard Treatment Guideline, Prescribers, Primary Health Facilities