ABSTRACT
Aims: The study is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the perception of inpatients on the pharmaceutical care (PC) roles of the pharmacists. This is useful in assessing the quality of care provided by the pharmacist and in the design and implementation of improved PC program in Nigeria. Study Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Jos University teaching hospital” (JUTH), between June and October 2013. Methodology: The perception of the PC roles of pharmacists was assessed in consented in-patients, using 23 items self administered questionnaire. Factors of PC assessed included: knowledge of the pharmacy profession, Interpersonal relationship, Collaboration with other professionals, and managing therapy. Factors associated with the perception of respondents were analyzed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U Test as appropriate. Results: A total of 548 out of 551 questionnaires were completely filled and analyzed (response rate 99%). Majority (64%) of the respondents are in the age range 21-40 years. Females accounted for 53% (n=288). Overall perception of respondents was excellent with a mean percentage perception score of 86% [95% confidence interval: 84 to 88%]. Knowledge of the pharmacy profession had the highest positives perception score of 89% while Interpersonal relationship had the highest negative perception score of 16%. Sex, marital status and ward of admission were significantly associated with respondent’s perception, whereas age and occupation were not. Conclusion: In general, in-patients in JUTH have excellent perception about the PC role of the pharmacist. However, there is a need to develop strategies to improve on the therapeutic relationship which is critical to the attainment of PC goals.
ABSTRACT
Background: Reports of adverse drug reactions (ADR) in the era of increasing uptake of antiretroviral drugs particularly in Sub Saharan Africa and especially in Nigeria have been on the rise. Aim: We set out to collate and characterize the pattern of adverse drug reactions in patients on antiretroviral drugs in our treatment centre. Study Design: Retrospective Cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the APIN Centre, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria from July 2010 to December 2012. Methodology: We reviewed the case files and data base entries of 215 patients attending our treatment centre. These are patients who had reported cases of adverse drug reactions. We took note of demographic profiles of the patients, the medical history as well as the different types of antiretroviral drugs the patients were taking. The types of adverse drug reactions and offending drugs were noted and categorized using descriptive statistics. Results: Out of 215 case files and databases of patients in which there were reports of adverse drug reactions, 80 (37.2%) were male and 135 (62.8%) were female. Almost thirty two percent (31.6%) of the patients were on Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Nevirapine (AZT/3TC/NVP), 14.9%on Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Tenofovir/Lopinavir/ritonavir (AZT/3TC/TDF/LPV/r), 13.5% on Stavudine/Lamivudine/Nevirapine (D4T/3TC/NVP). Anemia was the most common ADR representing 23.4% of all ADRs and 29.3% of all ADRs were associated with Zidovudine. Conclusion: Our study shows that in antiretroviral treatment centre such as our own, healthcare providers/practitioners should take particular note of troubling adverse drug reactions such as anaemia. Healthcare providers/practitioners should particularly have in place alternative treatment regimens as these adverse drug reactions may be potential cause of medication non adherence which in the long run lead to treatment failure.