Lydia Ferenje
Ministry of Health, Ethiopia
Title: Rational Use Of Anti-Malarial Drugs On The Management Of Malaria Cases And The Rational Prescribing Practice Of Antimalarial, The Case Of Ethiopian Teaching Hospital: Retrospective Crossectional Study
Biography
Biography: Lydia Ferenje
Abstract
Background: Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing countries. Appropriate use of recommended antimalarial drugs is vital in the effective management of malaria. Rational use of antimalarial drugs reduces the development of drug resistance and cost of therapy. Anti-malaria agents have been used for the management of malaria infections over the years in Ethiopia. However, not much is known about the quality of its use.
Objectives: To evaluate the rational use of anti-malarial Drugs on the Management of Malaria Cases and the Rational Prescribing Practice of Antimalarial in Mizan Tepi University hospital, south west Ethiopia.
Methodology: A 1-year retrospective cross-sectional study (chart review) was conducted from July1- to July30/2021. Charts (Data) of 125 patients were reviewed on socio-demographics, rational use of anti-malarial agents as per 2021, guidelines and outcomes.
Results and discussion: A total of 125 patients treated with the Antimalaria drug were reviewed. Of these, 65 (52%) were female. Ninety-one (72.8%) of the subjects belonged to 15 years and older age group. Laboratory test was requested for, 64(51.2%) patients. Forty-five patients were positive for malaria. Twenty-five patients had Plasmodium falciparum following Plasmodium vivax (n=18), and two patients had co-infection. Uncomplicated malaria cases were 15 (12%) whereas 9(7.2%) cases were severe malaria. Artemisinin – Lumefantrine was the most prescribed antimalarial drugs, 70(49.65%) following Artesunate and Chloroquine were, 36(25.53%) and 35(24.82%) respectively. Weight for those properly diagnosed and had severed malaria before Artesunate injection administered was recorded only for 3 (50%) patients. Seven of the patients have not taken single dose of Primaquine despite national malaria treatment guideline recommendation. Even though weight based was appropriate, more than two-third of the patients (82 (65.6 %)) were treated without weight measurement. Four of the patients had taken Primaquine daily for 14 days. Hemoglobin measurement with in the recommended days was not checked for those who were taking Primaquine.
Conclusion: Only 45 confirmed malaria cases among treated 125 patients. Treating patients with Antimalaria drugs irrespective of causative agent was common. Problem of adherence to malaria treatment guideline was observed. Intervention on irrational antimalarial drug use in MTUTH needs concern.