Prescription Patterns of Antimalarial Medicines in Selected Primary Health Care (PHC) Facilities of Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: 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.