Factors Associated With Dispensing Practices For Antimalarials In The La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipality

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria, though a preventable and treatable disease, remains a major public health problem worldwide. It is mesoendemic in Africa, with increased rate of morbidity and mortality among children under five and pregnant women. Efficient case management includes accurate diagnosis, the use of Artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT) and appropriate dispensing practices. These form the basis for optimal therapeutic outcomes. Despite the strategies adopted in Ghana to roll back malaria, the prevalence of malaria remains unacceptably high in most districts in Ghana. A surging problem correlated with this prevalence of malaria is the poor dispensing practice exhibited by dispensers. Objective: This study examines factors associated with dispensing practices for antimalarials in community pharmacies in the La Nkwantanang-Madina municipal. Method: A cross sectional study using a quantitative approach was employed in this study. It was conducted by administering close-ended questionnaires to patients and dispensers at community pharmacy retail level. Factors predictive of appropriate dispensing practices were determined. Analytical techniques employed include: Univariate analysis of categorical variables expressed as frequencies and proportions. Bivariate analysis used to compare associations between selected independent variables and appropriate dispensing practices. Results: Marital status, NHIS status, Access to MCM wall chart, years of experience, type of recommender, awareness of guidelines and supervisory visits were found to be significantly associated with dispensing practices. Proportion of clients who tested before purchase of antimalarial is 53% and 52.4% were provided with appropriate dispensing practice. Conclusion: More than half of dispensers who participated in the study, provided appropriate dispensing practices to their respective clients. However, MCA‟s had six times more interaction with participants than pharmacists. Despite the higher MCA – clients interaction, nearly 51% yielded inappropriate instructions being issued.