Evaluation of the attitudes and behaviors of parents with children aged 0-12 on drug use at the pandemic period

To determine the attitudes and behaviors of parents who have children between 0-12 years of age towards rational drug use during the pandemic period.

Antibacterial prescription and the associated factors among outpatients diagnosed with respiratory tract infections in Mbarara Municipality, Uganda

Background Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are the second most frequent diagnosis after Malaria amongst Outpatients in Uganda. Majority are Non pneumonia cough and flu which are self-limiting and often do not require antibacterials. However, antibiotics are continuously prescribed for these conditions and are a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance and wastage of health resources. Little is known about this problem in Uganda hence the impetus for the study. Objectives To determine the antibacterial prescribing rate and associated factors among RTI outpatients in Mbarara municipality Methodology This was a retrospective cross-sectional study on records of RTI outpatients from 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2020 (prior to the novel corona virus disease pandemic) in four selected public health facilities within Mbarara municipality. A pretested data caption tool was used to capture prescribing patterns using WHO/INRUD prescribing indicators. We used logistic regression to determine factors associated to antibacterial prescribing. Results A total of 780 encounters were studied with adults (18-59 years) forming the largest proportion of age categories at (337, 43.15%) and more females (444, 56.85%) than men (337, 43.15%). The antibacterial prescribing rate was 77.6% (606) with Amoxicillin the most prescribed 80.4% (503). The prescribing pattern showed an average of 2.47 (sd 0.72) drugs per encounter and the percentage of encounters with injection at 1.5% (24). Drugs prescribed by generic (1557, 79%) and drugs prescribed from essential medicine list (1650, 84%) both not conforming to WHO/INRUD standard; an indicator of possible irrational prescribing. Female gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: (1.06–2.16); 18–59 years age group (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.09–2.33) and Individuals prescribed at least three drugs were significantly more likely to have an antibacterial prescribed (aOR= 2.72, 95% CI: 1.86–3.98). Conclusion The study found a high antibacterial prescribing rate especially among patients with URTI, polypharmacy and non-conformity to both essential medicine list and generic name prescribing. This prescribing pattern does not comply with rational drug use policy and needs to be addressed through antimicrobial stewardship interventions, prescriber education on rational drug use and carrying out more research to determine the appropriateness of antibacterial prescribed.

Knowledge of Rational Drug Use Among Village Health Volunteers in a Municipal Hospital in Thailand

Village health volunteers (VHVs) are key factors to improve and maintain health status in the Thai population, especially in rural areas. Knowledge in rational drug use of VHVs is essential to help Thai people use medicines appropriately. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the literacy of VHVs relating to rational drug use in a municipal hospital, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. The literacy score was assessed using the questionnaire that was developed based on the Rational Drug Use Manual by the Ministry of Public Health. This questionnaire consists of 5 aspects, including the understanding of drug labels, advertisement evaluation, drug purchasing and using, understanding the meaning of medical terms, and access to drug information. The results were analyzed and described as frequency and percentage. Of all 139 VHVs who participated in the questionnaires, the average score of rational drug use literacy was 16.51 (SD = 5.79) out of 28 (58.96%), which was defined as poor level. Considering by aspects, it was found that the scores in the drug label literacy and understanding of the medical terms were at good levels. Drug purchasing and using aspect was at a moderate level. The advertisement assessment aspect was at a poor level. In conclusion, the results in this study indicated that VHVs in a municipal hospital, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand, should strengthen the knowledge relating to evaluation of advertising media and purchasing and using of drugs.