Abuse of injections, particularly in poor countries, remains a challenge because of the increasing preference for therapeutic injections over oral medication. This research work sought to find out why health care clients prefer injections to oral medications in a major referral hospital in the Volta Region of Ghana.At the end of the research, it was discovered that two thirds of patients visiting the Volta Regional Hospital (VRH) preferred therapeutic injection to oral medication. Predominant reasons for preference of injection were perceived quicker action, difficulty with oral medication compliance, and addiction to injectable medication. Also, patients who perceived therapeutic injection as more efficacious were more likely to opt for injections over oral medications.Based on these results, the researchers recommend the need to increase public education for clients and health providers to control the indiscriminate use of injections in health care settings toward promoting the safety of patients. AbstractAbuse of injections, particularly in resource poor countries, remains a challenge evident in the increasing preference for therapeutic injections over oral medication. Objective of this study is to explore factors associated with patients' preference for therapeutic injection over oral medication in the Volta Regional Hospital, Ho in Ghana. The study is a cross-sectional survey conducted among 200 patients accessing care in Volta Regional Hospital. Data were analyzed using STATA statistical software for data analysis. Univariate probit regression was used to ascertain factors associated with patients' preference for therapeutic injections over oral medication (main outcome variable of interest). It was found that 74% of the 200 respondents preferred injection to oral medication. More outpatients preferred injectable medication over oral (p = .041); 86% of the respondents said they never experienced complication related to injectable medication. Patients who perceived injection as more efficacious were more likely to opt for it over oral medication (coefficient = 2.22; SE = 0.33; p < .05). It is concluded that patients' preference for injectable medication over oral remains high in Ghana, and this preference is significantly associated with patients' perceptions on superiority of injections over oral medication. There is the need to intensify health education for clients and in-service trainings for health providers to control abuse of therapeutic injections and promote patient safety.
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