Drug-use practices in teaching hospitals of Khartoum State, Sudan.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was carried out to investigate current prescribing and dispensing practices in the largest two teaching hospitals in Sudan and compare them with those of published studies in developing countries.


METHODS
A descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study was conducted among hospital outpatients. The sample was selected using systematic random sampling. In each hospital, prescribing indicators were investigated through collection of data on 100 patient encounters, determination of consultation time and dispensing time for 100 patients, and by interview of 100 patients for the evaluation of dispensing practices.


RESULTS
The present findings showed that 96% (95% CI: 92.0-98.1%) of patient encounters did not include one or more necessary elements. Strength of drug and the quantity to be dispensed were omitted in 57.5% (95% CI: 50.3-64.4%) and 91% (95% CI: 85.9-94.4%) of patient encounters, respectively. Other variables measured per patient encounter were mean (SD) number of drugs prescribed, 1.9 (0.9); percentage prescribed by generic name, 43.6 % (95% CI: 38.6-48.8%); percentage of patient encounters involving an antibiotic, 65.0% (95% CI: 57.9-71.5%); percentage of patient encounters with an injection prescribed, 10.5% (95% CI: 6.5-15.8%). The mean (SD) consultation and dispensing times were 4.5 (2.8) min and 46.3 (21.8) s, respectively. The percentages of dispensed drugs that were adequately labeled was 37.6% (95% CI: 33.1-41.8%), whilst adequate patient knowledge was demonstrated for 37.2% (95% CI: 32.3-42.0%) of drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Cost-effective, multifaceted interventions are needed to improve current prescribing and dispensing practices at the teaching hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan.
Awad
Abdelmoneim Ismail
AI
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait. amoneim@hsc.edu.kw
Himad
Hossam Ahmed
HA
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019049:Developed Countries / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010361:Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013397:Sudan; D013997:Time Factors
D016568:Drugs, Generic