Prescription patterns of antimalarial medicines in selected primary health care (PHC) facilities of Jos north local government area (LGA) of plateau state, Nigeria

Abstract

The high prevalence of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa has been linked to irrational treatment practices. The present study evaluates prescription patterns of antimalarial drugs in PHC facilities of Jos North LGA of Plateau state, North-Central Nigeria. Materials and methods: Nine hundred (900) patients’ data were extracted retrospectively using Patients’ Medication Review Form (PMRF), and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: Out of 900 patients that were treated for the disease in the selected primary healthcare facilities, majority (61.2%) were female and artemether-lumefantrine combination was the most prescribed drug (28.7%) by the prescribers, followed by paracetamol (26.2%) as co-medication. The average number of drugs per prescription was 5.33±0.58 (Mean ±SD). The result indicated irrational prescription practices by the prescribers based on the observed poly-pharmacy practices (5.33±0.58 (Mean ±SD)), prescription by generic (66.4%), and inclusion of injectables (18.0%), while their use of antibiotics (21.5%) and prescription from essential drug list were in accordance with the WHO/INRUD optimal levels. Conclusion: The result shows irrational prescription practices in the PHC facilities as there were high practices of poly-pharmacy, poor prescription by generics, and unnecessary inclusion of injectable in patients’ regimens