RESUMO
The practice of self-medication is widespread in the Republic of Yemen. The objectives of this study were to describe the treatment of malaria in households and to promote rational treatment. We surveyed 201 households with family members suffering from malaria or being treated with antimalarials. Numbers of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs were recorded and treatment rationality assessed. Common patterns of irrational treatment of malaria were observed. Polyphannacy was common, with an average of 3.8 total drugs and 1.3 antimalarials found per encounter. Misuse and overuse of injectable antimalarials was common. People practised self-medication because of belief, experience, and lack of confidence in health services and cost of treatment. Most had no knowledge concerning possible risks of antimalarials
RESUMO
The practice of self-medication is widespread in the Republic of Yemen. The objectives of this study were to describe the treatment of malaria in households and to promote rational treatment. We surveyed 201 households with family members suffering from malaria or being treated with antimalarials. Numbers of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs were recorded and treatment rationality assessed. Common patterns of irrational treatment of malaria were observed. Polypharmacy was common, with an average of 3.8 total drugs and 1.3 antimalarials found per encounter. Misused and over use of injectables antimalarials was common. People practised self-medication because of belief, experience, lack of confidence in health services and cost of treatment. Most had no knowledge concerning possible risks of antimalarials
Assuntos
Humanos , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Países em Desenvolvimento , Custos de Medicamentos , Doenças Endêmicas/estatística & dados numéricos , Pesquisas sobre Atenção à Saúde , Motivação , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/estatística & dados numéricos , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Automedicação/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
This study in 3 districts of Hajjah governorate, Yemen, used WHO core indicators to investigate irrational prescribing of antimalarial drugs in public and private health facilities. Laboratory diagnosis rates were low in public facilities [21.2% of encounters]. Informal prescriptions were issued in > 70% of encounters [public and private]. Important patient and drug information was missing from many prescriptions. Both public and private facilities had high rates of prescribing multiple drugs [mean 3.0 and 4.0 respectively per encounter, maximum 11], brand-name drugs [32.9% and 64.2%] and injections [17.2% and 33.5%]. The total number of antimalarial drugs registered in the country was found to be 98, with 52 different formulations and strengths of chloroquine. Efforts should be made to promote rational prescribing of antimalarials