Main Article Content
Injection practices in Enugu, Nigeria
Abstract
Aim: To determine the pattern of injection use and reasons for its use in formal health facilities.
Materials and methods: This study was carried out in 1999 in Enugu, an urban city in Nigeria. Using a stratified random sampling method 204 patients and 25 prescribers from 20 registered health facilities were selected for the study. Information was collected using both self and interviewer administered questionnaires with verifications from medical records.
Results: Parental drugs were prescribed for 106(52.0%) patients and injectables prescribed significantly more for patients in the health centers 42(93.3%) N=45 followed by private hospitals 56(51.4%) N=109 and least in tertiary/secondary health facilities 8(16.0%) N=50. (X2=56.8, DF=2, p-value=0.00) When the patients' were disaggregated by the prescribers' qualifications the injection habit of specialists (N=58) and general practitioners (N=92) were the same (approx. 38% each) while that of primary health workers remained significantly high at (90.7%, N=54). (X2=44.3, DF=2, p=0.00) And out of a total of 769 drugs prescribed, 207(26.9%) were injectables. Of the 207 injectables prescribed; analgesics were 54(26.1%) with dipyrone 47; antimalarials were 44(21.3%)and all were chloroquine; vitamins/haematinics were 41(19.8%) with Vitamin B complex 35 and antibiotics were 38(18.4%) with penicillins 21.
The major reasons given by the prescribers for the injections were to, quicken the onset of drug action 51(48.1%), satisfy patients 21(19.8%) and when other formulations are not available 16(15.1%). The indications for the injections were justified for only 20( 9.6%) drugs. Only 26(12.7%) patients requested an injection. Most patients 154(75.5 %) did not make any specific drug request because 108 patients felt that it was the prescribers' duty. About 141(69.1%) patients knew that injection can cause an adverse effect while 27 (13.2%) patients believe injections have no disadvantages.
Conclusion: The rate of unjustified injection use within the formal health sector in Enugu is very high though patients demand for injections is low. Educational interventions aimed at primary health care providers and private medical practitioners should be organized urgently in this setting to curb the rate of injection use.
Key words: injectables, drug prescription, Nigeria
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.7(2) 2002: 118-120]
Materials and methods: This study was carried out in 1999 in Enugu, an urban city in Nigeria. Using a stratified random sampling method 204 patients and 25 prescribers from 20 registered health facilities were selected for the study. Information was collected using both self and interviewer administered questionnaires with verifications from medical records.
Results: Parental drugs were prescribed for 106(52.0%) patients and injectables prescribed significantly more for patients in the health centers 42(93.3%) N=45 followed by private hospitals 56(51.4%) N=109 and least in tertiary/secondary health facilities 8(16.0%) N=50. (X2=56.8, DF=2, p-value=0.00) When the patients' were disaggregated by the prescribers' qualifications the injection habit of specialists (N=58) and general practitioners (N=92) were the same (approx. 38% each) while that of primary health workers remained significantly high at (90.7%, N=54). (X2=44.3, DF=2, p=0.00) And out of a total of 769 drugs prescribed, 207(26.9%) were injectables. Of the 207 injectables prescribed; analgesics were 54(26.1%) with dipyrone 47; antimalarials were 44(21.3%)and all were chloroquine; vitamins/haematinics were 41(19.8%) with Vitamin B complex 35 and antibiotics were 38(18.4%) with penicillins 21.
The major reasons given by the prescribers for the injections were to, quicken the onset of drug action 51(48.1%), satisfy patients 21(19.8%) and when other formulations are not available 16(15.1%). The indications for the injections were justified for only 20( 9.6%) drugs. Only 26(12.7%) patients requested an injection. Most patients 154(75.5 %) did not make any specific drug request because 108 patients felt that it was the prescribers' duty. About 141(69.1%) patients knew that injection can cause an adverse effect while 27 (13.2%) patients believe injections have no disadvantages.
Conclusion: The rate of unjustified injection use within the formal health sector in Enugu is very high though patients demand for injections is low. Educational interventions aimed at primary health care providers and private medical practitioners should be organized urgently in this setting to curb the rate of injection use.
Key words: injectables, drug prescription, Nigeria
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.7(2) 2002: 118-120]
