Adherence to antimalarial drug policy among doctors in Delta State, Nigeria: implications for malaria control
Ghana Med. J. (Online)
; 53(2): 109-116, 2019. tab
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1262297
Responsible library:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
Background:
Malaria is a public health problem compounded with a widespread emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum which necessitated the formulation of a new antimalarial drug policy (AMP).Objective:
This study was designed to assess adherence to the policy among physicians in health facilities in Delta state, Nigeria.Design:
Cross-sectional, analytic study. Data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire.Setting:
Two secondary and one tertiary health facilities in Delta State, NigeriaParticipants:
Physicians selected with a simple random technique from the facilities Main outcomemeasures:
Prescribing pattern of antimalarial drugs and adherence to WHO treatment guideline among doctors.Results:
Majority (90.8%) of respondents believed the antimalarial policy (AMP) should be strictly adhered to, although three-fifth (61.0%) of them rated its performance as poor. The level of adherence to the national antimalarial drug policy was high (78.5%) as most doctors prescribed Arthemeter-Lumefantrine, AL for uncomplicated malaria however barely two-fifth (35.4%) adhered to prescribing injectable Artesunate for complicated malaria. AL, (71.9%) was the most prescribed antimalarial drug for uncomplicated malaria The most prescribed antimalarial drugs for complicated malaria was artesunate (40.0%) followed by quinine (27.6%) and artemether (26.7%); although, chloroquine was also prescribed.Conclusion:
The level of adherence to AMP among doctors was sub-optimal. Continuous education of doctors on the new AMP is needed to achieve malarial control
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Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Drug Resistance
/
Medication Adherence
/
Artesunate
/
Malaria
/
Antimalarials
/
Nigeria
Type of study:
Practice guideline
/
Qualitative research
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Ghana Med. J. (Online)
Year:
2019
Type:
Article
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