BackgroundRational prescribing is a primary step to ensure rational drug use. Often, half of the medicines are prescribed irrationally and half of these are even used incorrectly as the patients fail to take their medicines appropriately. The aim of this research was to evaluate drug-prescribing patterns of four hospitals in southern Ethiopia.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between May 15 and June 25, 2014, to evaluate the drug-prescribing patterns based on the World health Organization (WHO) prescribing indicators. The prescription papers, kept for the last 1 year in the outpatient departments of the four hospitals, were analyzed according to WHO guidelines. Also, prescriptions in the hospitals were analyzed to determine the most frequently prescribed drugs. All the statistical calculations were performed using SPSS® version 20.0 software.Results and discussionThe average number of drugs per prescription ranges from 1.82±0.90 to 2.28±0.90, whereas the percentage of use of antibiotics and injections ranged from 46.7 to 85 and 15 to 61.7, respectively. The average percentages of drugs prescribed by generic name and from the essential drugs list were 95.8 and 94.1, respectively. Anti-infective and analgesic drugs are found to be the most frequently prescribed medicines. In terms of polypharmacy, there was a slight deviation in prescribing patterns from what is acceptable according to the WHO criteria. Prescribing by generic name and from essential drug list was almost optimal. There was a significant deviation in the use of injectables in two of the four hospitals (50%), whereas their use in the other two hospitals was within the acceptable range. The use of antibiotics in all the hospitals in present study was higher than the acceptable range.ConclusionGenerally, it seems that there is need for improvement of the prescribing patterns in the hospitals, although this should be consolidated with further studies to link the patient diagnosis and the prescribed medications.

BackgroundPatient-centered care is now the goal for virtually all healthcare systems. The aim of this research was to evaluate the patient care quality in regard to drug dispensing in four hospitals in southern Ethiopia namely Wolaita Sodo University teaching and referral hospital (WSUTRH), Tercha zonal hospital (TZH), Sodo Christian hospital (SCH) and Dubo St. Mary’s Catholic primary hospital (DSMCPH).MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted by using the WHO patient care and facility indicators between September 10 and October 20, 2014. Patients who visited the outpatient departments of the four hospitals were selected by systematic random sampling method and interviewed. In total 384 patients were selected based on a rough estimate of proportion of patients visiting to the four hospitals. Facility indicators including the availability of essential drugs list (EDL), national drug formulary, standard treatment guideline (STG) and key drugs were evaluated. Descriptive statistical calculations were performed using SPSS® version 20.0 software.ResultThe mean number of drugs was in the range between 1.9 ± 0.9 to 2.2 ± 2.0. The mean consultation time range was found to be 4.2 ± 1.6 to 4.9 ± 5.0 min whereas the mean dispensing time was ranged from 96.1 ± 52.0 to 152.3 ± 47.6 s. The overall mean number of drug prescribed for the four hospitals was 2.0 ± 1.2 and the mean percentage of medications actually dispensed in the hospitals was thus calculated to be 86.3. The mean percentage of medications clearly labeled was 45.4. Patients who knew their dosage forms accurately were 78.8. Among the four hospitals evaluated only one hospital (25 %) had at least a copy of the Ethiopian essential drug list (EDL), standard treatment guideline for hospitals and drug formulary. The mean availability of key drugs in the hospitals was found to be 65.7 %.ConclusionThe result of the present study indicates that the patient consulting time, medications labeling and availability of key drugs in the hospitals are inadequate. The medication labeling practice in the four hospitals is unacceptably low. These patient care indicators need a special attention for improvement.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1882-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Primary family caregivers of hemodialysis patients are the “hidden patients” who shoulder extraordinary care burdens. However, there is a dearth of studies in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of primary family caregivers of hemodialysis patients in Southern Ethiopia. Methods Qualitative phenomenological study design was employed in February 2021. A homogeneous purposive sampling technique was applied to select study participants. An in-depth interview using an interview guide and field notes were used to collect the required data. All interviews were recorded using a digital audio recorder. Data coding was assisted by Open code software version 4.03. Inductive thematic analysis was used to develop the emerged themes and sub-themes using Colaizzi’s 1978 seven-step phenomenological analysis method. The themes and sub-themes are described in detail in the respective heading and sub-headings. Results A total of twelve participants were involved in the present study. Bio-psychological experience, socio-economic impact, and healthcare provider-primary family caregiver relationships are the major themes that emerged from the data. The emotional responses, coping mechanisms, consequences on the family caregivers’ health, care fatigue, lifestyle change, economic burden, impact on social responsibility, social support, the role of the primary family caregiver, and trust and confidence in the service providers are the sub-themes defining primary family caregivers caring experience. Conclusion In this study, emotional instabilities and reactions, care fatigue, distortion of caregiver’s health, multiple economic and social damages are the major challenges faced by primary family caregivers.

Purpose/Background: Although Ethiopia is among the thirty high multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) burden countries in the world, comparative therapeutic efficacy of moxifloxacin and levofloxacin has not been explored, particularly in MDR-TB patients. We therefore aimed to prospectively compare clinical outcomes and determine potential predictors of the outcomes among patients on moxifloxacin or levofloxacin-based MDR-TB drug regimens. Methods: We analyzed clinical parameters and laboratory data of eighty MDR-TB patients on moxifloxacin-or levofloxacin-based regimens. The clinical outcomes were compared using the Kaplan-Meier survival functions and the outcome definitions of the 2013 World Health Organization. Monthly sputum culture conversions and a molecular line probe assay results were also assessed. Observed outcomes and patient-related variables between the two groups were compared using chi-square, Wilcoxon Rank and Fisher exact tests. We also determined the potential predictors influencing treatment outcomes of moxifloxacin and levofloxacin using Cox proportional hazard model. Results:The levofloxacin-based treatment group had a lower failure rate and adverse drug events as well as better treatment success than the moxifloxacin-based group. Overall treatment success was 65%. Disaggregating the data revealed that 53.8% were cured, 11.2% completed treatment, 10.0% died, 11.2% failed, and 13.8% were lost-to-follow-up. The line probe assay result showed that 11.3% of the clinical isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones and 3.8% were resistant to both fluoroquinolones and injectable anti-TB agents. Treatment regimen type, culture conversion rate, alcohol use, cavity lesion, serum levels of creatinine and alanine aminotransferase were independent predictors of treatment outcome. Conclusion:The levofloxacin-based regimen group has a better overall treatment success than the moxifloxacin-based group among MDR-TB patients. Clinical parameters and substance use history of the patients influenced treatment outcomes. We recommend further broader clinical studies to substantiate our findings as an input to review MDR-TB treatment guidelines.

This study aimed to explore the population pharmacokinetic modeling (PopPK) of levofloxacin (LFX) and moxifloxacin (MXF), as well as the percent probability of target attainment (PTA) as defined by the ratio of the area under the plasma concentrationtime curve over 24 h and the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC0-24/MIC) in Ethiopian multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients. Methods: Steady state-plasma concentration of the drugs in MDR-TB patients were determined using optimized liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry. PopPK and simulations were run at various doses, and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. The effect of covariates on the PK parameters and PTA for maximum mycobacterial kill and resistance prevention was also investigated. Results: LFX and MXF both fit in a one-compartment model with adjustments. Serum-creatinine (Cr) influenced (p = 0.01) the clearance of LFX, whereas body mass index (BMI) influenced (p = 0.01) the apparent volume of distribution (V) of MXF. The PTA for LFX maximal mycobacterial kill at the critical MIC of 0.5 mg/L with the simulated 750 mg, 1000 mg, and 1500 mg doses were 29%, 62%, and 95%, respectively, whereas the PTA for resistance prevention at 1500 mg was only 4.8%, with none of the lower doses achieving this target. At the critical MIC of 0.25 mg/L, there was no change in the PTA for maximum bacterial kill when the MXF dose was increased (600 mg, 800 mg, and 1000 mg), but the PTA for resistance prevention was improved. Conclusion:The standard doses of LFX and MXF may not provide adequate drug exposure. PopPK of LFX is more predictable for maximum mycobacterial kill, whereas MXF's resistance prevention target increases with dose. Cr and BMI are likely important covariates for dose optimization in Ethiopian patients.

Background. Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to the human population everywhere. However, less attention is given to its concern in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. There is an information gap concerning antibiotic resistance and its pattern in Wolaita Sodo University Teaching Referral Hospital. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in the study area. Methods. Five-year retrospective data of cultures and records of 581 patients were utilized to analyze the pattern of antibiotic resistance. The statistical software including SPSS version 25 and Microsoft excel 2013 were used. Laboratory records with incompletely registered age, sex, culture isolation, or drug susceptibility test data were excluded. Results. Out of the total of 581 samples extracted from the microbiology laboratory, 237 (40.8%) samples were culture positive for bacteria. From positive culture growth, 165 (69.6%) were gram-positive bacteria whereas 72 (30.4%) were gram negative. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent isolate among gram-positive isolates as Escherichia coli was for gram-negative isolates. Overall antibiotic resistance of gram-positive isolates was 57.2% whereas that of gram-negative bacteria was 58.8%.Conclusion. S. aureus and E. coli were found to be the most prevalent pathogenic isolates among gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Most of the isolated pathogens showed high resistance towards the commonly prescribed antibiotic agents. The overall antibiotic resistance in this study was 57.7%, and the overall MDR prevalence was 72.2%.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to the human populations everywhere. However, less attention is given to its concern in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. There is information gap for the prescribers regarding antibiotic resistance and its pattern. The aim of this study was to review the antimicrobial resistance pattern of bacteria in Wolaita Sodo University Teaching Referral Hospital. Methods: Three years retrospective data of cultures and records of 330 patients were used to analyze the antibiotic sensitivity pattern. The statistical softwares including Epidata 3.5.1 and SPSS version 21 were used. Laboratory records lacking age, sex, culture isolation or drug susceptibility test data were excluded. Results: Out of 330 samples extracted from the microbiology laboratory, 150 samples were culture positive for bacteria isolates. From positive culture growth, 73.3% were gram positive bacteria whereas 26.7% were gram negative. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent isolate among gram-positive isolates as Escherichia coli was for gram negative isolates. Overall antimicrobial resistance of gram positive isolates was 54.2% where as that of gram negative bacteria was 60.0%.Conclusion: As per this study, S. aureus and E. coli were the pathogenic isolates of highest prevalence among gram positive and gram-negative bacteria, respectively, in the study population. Most of the isolated pathogens showed high resistance towards the commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents.

Polypharmacy is the use of multiple drugs by a patient at the same time and is common in the elderly. To our knowledge, drug use patterns in Somaliland are rarely studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate polypharmacy, drug use patterns, and their predictors at the Edna Adan University Hospital in Hargeisa, Somaliland. A retrospective cohort analysis of 1140 medical records and prescriptions over a year from August 28, 2019, to August 27, 2020, was reviewed. The data completeness and consistency were checked and entered with the SPSS version 25.0. The association between total polypharmacy and different variables was analyzed using multivariable binary logistic regression and expressed as an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). In addition, the World Health Organization’s core drug use and facility indicators were used to assess the drug use patterns. The overall polypharmacy in this study was 71%. Statistically significant association was observed between the polypharmacy and variables such as age ( P = 0.01 ; OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.9–6.1), chronic illness ( P = 0.01 , OR = 8.6, 95% CI = 5.1–14.7), and comorbidity ( P = 0.01 , OR = 5.2, 95% CI = 2.1–12.9). However, the ward admitted/visited and gender did not have a statistically significant association with polypharmacy. There was overuse of brand drugs (63.9%) and antibiotics (55.2%), while the use of injectables (19.9%) was within the acceptable range. Polypharmacy and overuse of brand drugs and antibiotics were prevalent in the study setting. Essential drugs list, formularies, and treatment and regulatory guidelines are needed in place to ensure appropriate drug use.