Drug use pattern using WHO prescribing indicators at Sheikh Sultan Hassan Yabere Referral Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: In order to enhance rational drug use, it is very important to assess the prescribing pattern of the facilities using standard prescribing checklists. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess drug use pattern using WHO prescribing indicators at Sheikh Hassan Sultan Yabere Referral Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia. Objective: the objective of this study is to assess drug use pattern using WHO prescribing indicators at Sheikh Hassan Sultan Yabere Referral Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia 2019 Method: Retrospective study design was  employed to assess the current drug prescribing pattern of Sheikh Hassan Sultan Yabere Referral Hospital.Six Month  prescription  papers from December 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019 were surveyed. A total of 600 prescriptions that were selected using systematic random sampling were reviewed. Data was collected from prescriptions at outpatient pharmacy. The data was entered to excel and analyzed and presented with tables and charts. Results: The average number of drugs prescribed per encounter or mean was 1.98 with a range between one and six drugs. The percentage of encounters in which an antibiotic or injection prescribed were 60 % (n=600) and 2.5 % (n=600) respectively. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name and from an essential drug list were 89.5 % (n=600) and 98.99% (n=600). The commonly prescribed forms of antibiotics were Amoxicillin (19.15%), Amoxicillin/Clavulunate (17.41) and Azithromycin (16.83%).The most commonly prescribed injection was Ceftriaxone (52.14%). Conclusion: This study revealed major deviation from standard WHO recommended rational prescribing practice with regard to antibiotic use. The study also showed deviation from WHO standard with regard to use of generic name and prescribing from national formulary/Essential drug list. Keywords: Rational drug use, prescribing pattern, WHO prescribing indicators Jigjiga, Somali Region.