Evaluation of Rational Medicine Use based on WHO Core Drug Use Indicators in Public Hospitals in West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The irrational use of medicines is a worldwide problem increasing morbidity, mortality and costs through increasing adverse medicine reactions and hence patients are not achieving their desired outcomes. In Ethiopia, although there are studies that show the presence of irrational use of medicines in the country, there is limited objective evidence on evaluating medicine use from prescriber, patient and health facility perspectives. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate rational medicine of the improved asphalt were contrasted together with each other as well as with the perspicuous asphalt. Conclusions Methods: Retrospective and prospective cross sectional study were employed to collect data from prescriptions dispensed through main pharmacies and Information for patients respectively. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect information from prescription papers and respondents after obtaining a verbal consent. Data was entered, cleaned, edited and analyzed using SPSS Version 23.0 statistical software package. Results: The average number of medicines prescribed per encounter was 1.74. The% of encounters in which an antibiotic and injection was prescribed was 48.9% and 12.6% respectively. The mean consultation time spent between the prescriber and patient was 5.12 minutes and the mean pharmacy dispensing time was 1.28 minutes. The availability of selected tracer medicines in the health facilities was 79.6%. Conclusion: The study identified that the pattern of prescribing was appreciable and nearly similar with WHO standard reference. However, the patient care factors needs to be improved.