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Islam MW, Shahjahan M, Azad AK, Hossain MJ. Factors contributing to antibiotic misuse among parents of school-going children in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2318. [PMID: 38282010 PMCID: PMC10822859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52313-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health concern, especially in resource-constrained countries, such as Bangladesh. This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to antibiotic misuse by assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 20 to August 30, 2022, among 704 parents of school-going children in Dhaka South City. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the KAP, and multivariate models, including linear and ordinal logistic regression, were used to explore the associations between these factors. The findings revealed that approximately 22% of the participants were male and 78% were female. Most parents (58%) had completed higher secondary education. Approximately 45% of the respondents demonstrated moderate knowledge, 53% had uncertain attitudes, and 64% exhibited antibiotic misuse. Factors such as parental age, education level, employment status, income, child's age, and family type significantly influenced KAP. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted education and awareness initiatives to enhance knowledge and responsible antibiotic use among parents, contributing to global efforts against antibiotic resistance. The government should enforce laws and regulations regarding the misuse of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Wahidul Islam
- Population Health Studies Division, Center for Health Innovation, Research, Action, and Learning-Bangladesh (CHIRAL Bangladesh), 9-10 Chittaranjan Ave, Dhaka, 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Muhibullah Shahjahan
- Population Health Studies Division, Center for Health Innovation, Research, Action, and Learning-Bangladesh (CHIRAL Bangladesh), 9-10 Chittaranjan Ave, Dhaka, 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Abul Kalam Azad
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, 9-10 Chittaranjan Ave, Dhaka, 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Md Jubayer Hossain
- Population Health Studies Division, Center for Health Innovation, Research, Action, and Learning-Bangladesh (CHIRAL Bangladesh), 9-10 Chittaranjan Ave, Dhaka, 1100, Bangladesh.
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Edessa D, Assefa N, Dessie Y, Asefa F, Dinsa G, Oljira L. Non-prescribed antibiotic use for children at community levels in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pharm Policy Pract 2022; 15:57. [PMID: 36180895 PMCID: PMC9524137 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-022-00454-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-prescribed antibiotic use is an emerging risky practice around the globe. An inappropriate use involving nonprescription access is one cause of the rapid increase in antibiotic resistance. Children commonly encounter many self-limiting illnesses for which they frequently use antibiotics without prescription. However, no specific and conclusive evidence exists to inform actions against this unsafe practice. We thus aimed to estimate the pooled proportion of non-prescribed antibiotic use for children at community levels in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS A systematic search of records was conducted from PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google scholar. Eligible English-language publications were original articles which reported on community-based non-prescribed antibiotic use for children and conducted in low- and middle-income countries. Study features and the number of antibiotics used without prescriptions were extracted and pooled for effect sizes employing a random-effects model. The pooled proportion of non-prescribed antibiotic use was estimated as a percentage. RESULTS In this analysis, we included a total of 39 articles consisting of 40,450 participants. Of these, 16,315 participants used non-prescribed antibiotics. The pooled percentage for this use of non-prescribed antibiotics was 45% (95% CI: 40-50%). The estimate was considerably higher in studies involving simulated patient methods (56%; 95% CI: 49-62%) than those studies with community surveys (40%; 95% CI: 34-46%) (P = 0.001). It was also varied by the recall period of antibiotics use-56% (95% CI: 50-62%) for instantly observed practice, 36% (95% CI: 22-50%) for within two week recall, 35% (95% CI: 26-45%) for 1-6 months recall, and 46% (95% CI: 37-54%) for more than six months recall (P = 0.001). Primary access points for the non-prescribed antibiotic uses were retail drug outlets. CONCLUSIONS We found that nearly half of the antibiotics used for children in community settings were without prescriptions. For these unsafe practices, caregivers accessed antibiotics mainly from drug outlets. Hence, context-specific educational and regulatory interventions at these outlets and the community levels are the first steps to improving antibiotic usage for children in low- and middle-income countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021288971 (PROSPERO). https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021288971 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Dumessa Edessa
- School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia. .,School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
| | - Nega Assefa
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Yadeta Dessie
- School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Fekede Asefa
- School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.,Center for Biomedical Informatics, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center-Oak Ridge National Laboratory (UTHSC-ORNL, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Girmaye Dinsa
- School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lemessa Oljira
- School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
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de Souza EV, Vieira LJSC, dos Santos SNP, Cerqueira-Santos S, Rocha KSS, de Lyra DP. Antimicrobial dispensing process in community pharmacies: a scoping review. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2022; 11:116. [PMID: 36116000 PMCID: PMC9482305 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-022-01157-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antimicrobial resistance remains a major global public health concern, and antimicrobial dispensing in community pharmacies is an important factor in preventing this damage. However, the current literature focuses on the technical and attitudinal aspects related to antimicrobial dispensing, with little emphasis on the interventions provided in this service. Thus, this study aimed to determine the antimicrobial dispensing process in community pharmacies. Methods A scoping review was performed in September 2020 using the PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The search terms included words related to dispensing, antibacterial agents, and pharmacies in various combinations. Two reviewers screened the titles, abstracts, and full-text articles according to the eligibility criteria, and extracted the data. The findings were presented in a descriptive form. Results Of the 7713 studies screened, 35 were included, of which 22 (63%) were published in Asia. Most studies followed a cross-sectional design (n = 27), and the simulated patient was the most often used method to assess the antimicrobial dispensing process (n = 22). Moreover, 31 (89%) studies investigated antimicrobial dispensing without prescription, and only four (11%) studies evaluated antimicrobial dispensing with prescription. In the 35 studies, the most frequently asked questions were about drug allergies (n = 19) and patient symptoms (n = 18), and counseling mainly focused on the side effects (n = 14), precautions (n = 14), how to take the medication (n = 12), and duration of medication use (n = 11). Another common intervention was referral (n = 15). Among clinical cases, counseling on medication use occurred often in cases of urinary tract infection (51%) and otitis media (50%). Conclusions Antimicrobial dispensing processes have been primarily investigated in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on dispensing antimicrobials without prescriptions. During the dispensing process, pharmacists mostly posed minimal questions and counseling, highlighting the deficiencies that persist in this practice. Our results indicate the need for multifaceted strategies, such as implementing educational, regulatory or administrative strategies and changes in cultural background, especially in low- and middle-income countries, that aim to reduce indiscriminate use of antimicrobials. Therefore, qualifying the antimicrobial dispensing process is a fundamental factor for improving the rational use of antimicrobials and reducing microbial resistance. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13756-022-01157-0.
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Arieti F, Göpel S, Sibani M, Carrara E, Pezzani MD, Murri R, Mutters NT, Lòpez-Cerero L, Voss A, Cauda R, Tacconelli E. White Paper: Bridging the gap between surveillance data and antimicrobial stewardship in the outpatient sector-practical guidance from the JPIAMR ARCH and COMBACTE-MAGNET EPI-Net networks. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:ii42-ii51. [PMID: 33280045 PMCID: PMC7719405 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The outpatient setting is a key scenario for the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities, considering that overconsumption of antibiotics occurs mainly outside hospitals. This publication is the result of a joint initiative by the JPIAMR ARCH and COMBACTE-MAGNET EPI-Net networks, which is aimed at formulating a set of target actions for linking surveillance data with AMS activities in the outpatient setting. Methods A scoping review of the literature was carried out in three research areas: AMS leadership and accountability; antimicrobial usage and AMS; antimicrobial resistance and AMS. Consensus on the actions was reached through a RAND-modified Delphi process involving over 40 experts in infectious diseases, clinical microbiology, AMS, veterinary medicine or public health, from 18 low-, middle- and high-income countries. Results Evidence was retrieved from 38 documents, and an initial 25 target actions were proposed, differentiating between essential or desirable targets according to clinical relevance, feasibility and applicability to settings and resources. In the first consultation round, preliminary agreement was reached for all targets. Further to a second review, 6 statements were re-considered and 3 were deleted, leading to a final list of 22 target actions in the form of a practical checklist. Conclusions This White Paper is a pragmatic and flexible tool to guide the development of calibrated surveillance-based AMS interventions specific to the outpatient setting, which is characterized by substantial inter- and intra-country variability in the organization of healthcare structures, maintaining a global perspective and taking into account the feasibility of the target actions in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Arieti
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Siri Göpel
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine I, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Clinical Research Unit for healthcare associated infections, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marcella Sibani
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Elena Carrara
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Diletta Pezzani
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rita Murri
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Nico T Mutters
- Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Bonn University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lorena Lòpez-Cerero
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospital Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Andreas Voss
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roberto Cauda
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Evelina Tacconelli
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine I, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Clinical Research Unit for healthcare associated infections, Tübingen, Germany
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5
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A population-based study of self-reported adverse drug events among Lebanese outpatients. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7921. [PMID: 33846425 PMCID: PMC8041830 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87036-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a limited number of studies assessing the epidemiology of Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) in the outpatient setting, especially those that do not result in healthcare use. The primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of self-reported ADEs among Lebanese outpatients. It was a cross-sectional observational study performed among Lebanese outpatients visiting community pharmacies across Lebanon. A questionnaire was designed to elicit patients’ relevant information. The association between categorical variables were evaluated using Pearson χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors that affect the experience of self-reported ADEs. The study comprised 3148 patients. Around 37% of patients reported experiencing an ADE in the previous year. When ADEs occur, 70.5% of the respondents reported informing their physicians. Increasing number of medications per patient, use of injectable medication, and inquiring about potential drug-drug interactions were associated with higher experience of ADEs (p = 0.049; p = 0.003; and p = 0.009 respectively). Patients who received hospital discharge counseling reported experiencing less ADEs (p = 0.002). Our study showed prevalence of ADEs among Lebanese outpatients especially patients with polypharmacy, and highlighted the need to educate patients about the importance of reporting ADEs to their physicians.
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Hallit S, Zeidan RK, Saade S, Hajj A, Hallit R, Akel M, Yahchouchy C, Kheir N, Iskandar K, Sacre H, Salameh P. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Lebanese Community Pharmacists toward Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2021; 10:86-95. [PMID: 32175715 PMCID: PMC7310810 DOI: 10.2991/jegh.k.191215.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inclusion of a pharmacist showed that pharmacy-led patient education can positively impact treatment outcome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) knowledge, medication adherence, quality of life, significant reduction in hospital admission rates, and emergency department visits. The objectives were to assess the degree of COPD knowledge in Lebanese community pharmacists as well as their attitudes and practice toward disease management. Between January and May 2018, a cross-sectional survey enrolled 709 Lebanese community pharmacists. A committee was created to build up the questionnaire; it was composed of two physicians (one infectious disease specialist and one pulmonologist) and eight pharmacists, with long expertise in community and hospital pharmacy. It comprised 12 questions assessing knowledge, 12 questions for attitude, and 13 questions for practice. Higher attitude (β = 0.56) and higher practice (β = 0.41) were associated with higher knowledge score. Higher knowledge (β = 0.10) and practice (β = 0.16) scores as well as female gender (β = 0.60) were significantly associated with higher attitude scores. Higher knowledge (β = 0.13) and higher attitude (β = 0.19) showed significant association with higher practice scores. Female gender (β = −0.94), however, was significantly associated with decreased practice score. Our study highlights the importance of assessing the capabilities of pharmacists of achieving their support role in COPD patients. In order to improve community pharmacists’ knowledge of COPD, ultimately improving patient outcomes, further education is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souheil Hallit
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon.,Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie - Liban (INSPECT-LB), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rouba Karen Zeidan
- Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie - Liban (INSPECT-LB), Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Public Health 2, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Sylvia Saade
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aline Hajj
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie clinique et Contrôle de Qualité des médicaments, Pôle Technologie-Santé (PTS), Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rabih Hallit
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon
| | | | | | - Nelly Kheir
- Faculty of Pedagogy, Holy Family University, 5534 Batroun, Lebanon
| | | | - Hala Sacre
- Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie - Liban (INSPECT-LB), Beirut, Lebanon.,Drug Information Center, Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie - Liban (INSPECT-LB), Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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7
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Batista AD, A. Rodrigues D, Figueiras A, Zapata-Cachafeiro M, Roque F, Herdeiro MT. Antibiotic Dispensation without a Prescription Worldwide: A Systematic Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E786. [PMID: 33171743 PMCID: PMC7694985 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9110786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance still remains a major global public health problem and the dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription at community pharmacies is an important driver of this. MEDLINE, Pubmed and EMBASE databases were used to search and identify studies reporting the dispensing of non-prescribed antibiotics in community pharmacies or drugstores that sell drugs for human use, by applying pharmacy interviews/questionnaires methods and/or simulated patient methods. Of the 4683 studies retrieved, 85 were included, of which 59 (69.4%) were published in low-and middle-income countries. Most of the papers (83.3%) presented a percentage of antibiotic dispensing without a prescription above 60.0%. Sixty-one studies evaluated the active substance and the most sold antibiotics without a prescription were amoxicillin (86.9%), azithromycin (39.3%), ciprofloxacin (39.3%), and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (39.3%). Among the 65 articles referencing the diseases/symptoms, this practice was shown to be mostly associated with respiratory system problems (100.0%), diarrhea (40.0%), and Urinary Tract Infections (30.8%). In sum, antibiotics are frequently dispensed without a prescription in many countries and can thus have an important impact on the development of resistance at a global level. Our results indicate the high need to implement educational and/or regulatory/administrative strategies in most countries, aiming to reduce this practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Daniela Batista
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Daniela A. Rodrigues
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (UDI/IPG), 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal; (D.A.R.); (F.R.)
| | - Adolfo Figueiras
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15702 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.F.); (M.Z.-C.)
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health-CIBERESP), 28001 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15702 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maruxa Zapata-Cachafeiro
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15702 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.F.); (M.Z.-C.)
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health-CIBERESP), 28001 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fátima Roque
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (UDI/IPG), 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal; (D.A.R.); (F.R.)
- Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Herdeiro
- Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Hallit S, Selwan CA, Salameh P. Primary health care policy and vision for community pharmacy and pharmacists in Lebanon. Pharm Pract (Granada) 2020; 18:2003. [PMID: 32566052 PMCID: PMC7290176 DOI: 10.18549/pharmpract.2020.2.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Within a crippling economic context and a rapidly evolving healthcare system, pharmacists in Lebanon are striving to promote their role in primary care. Community pharmacists, although held in high esteem by the population, are not recognised as primary health care providers by concerned authorities. They are perceived as medication sellers. The role of the pharmacist in primary health care networks, established by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) to serve most vulnerable populations, is limited to medication delivery. The practice of the pharmacy profession in Lebanon has been regulated in 1950 by the Lebanese Pharmacists Association [Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon] (OPL). In 2016, the OPL published its mission, vision, and objectives, aiming to protect the pharmacists' rights by enforcing rules and procedures, raise the profession's level through continuous education, and ensure patients' appropriate access to medications and pharmacist's counseling for safe medication use. Since then, based on the identified challenges, the OPL has suggested several programs, inspired by the World Health Organization and the International Pharmaceutical Federation guidelines, as part of a strategic plan to develop the pharmacy profession and support patient safety. These programs included the application of principles of good governance, the provision of paid services, developing pharmacists' core and advanced competencies, generation of accreditation standards for both community pharmacy and pharmacy education, suggesting new laws and decrees, continuing education consolidation and professional development. There was an emphasis on all decisions to be evidence assessment-based. However, OPL faces a major internal political challenge: its governing body, which is reelected every three years, holds absolute powers in changing strategies for the three-year mandate, without program continuation beyond each mandate. Within this context, we recommend the implementation of a strategic plan to integrate pharmacy in primary health centers, promoting the public health aspect of the profession and taking into account of critical health issues and the changing demographics and epidemiological transition of the Lebanese population. Unless the proposed blueprint in this paper is adopted, the profession is unfortunately condemned to disappear in the current political, economic and health-related Lebanese context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souheil Hallit
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK). Jounieh (Lebanon).
| | | | - Pascale Salameh
- National Institute of Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology & Toxicology (INSPECT-LB). Beirut (Lebanon).
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9
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Haddad RN, Sakr C, Khabbaz L, Azouri H, Eid B. Telephone Consultation and Prescription in Pediatrics: Contributing Factors and Impact on Clinical Outcomes. Front Pediatr 2020; 7:515. [PMID: 32010647 PMCID: PMC6974533 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate phone-based consultation practices and drug prescription profiles in pediatrics and to highlight their possible uses, contributing factors, and effects on clinical outcomes. Background: The ownership and everyday use of cell phones are increasing worldwide. Telehealth is gaining the support of health professionals for the delivery of simple healthcare measures to more complex management decisions. Despite this, in our country, doctors have been advised by concerned authorities to avoid any phone-based medical activity as the safety of such practices is still not well-established, especially among vulnerable pediatric patients. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a national level over 5 months. Phone consultations and prescription behaviors data were collected through a self-administrated questionnaire. The target population consisted of pediatric-trained physicians with at least 1 year of experience. Factors influencing telephone prescriptions were assessed using bivariate analysis. Results: Of among 120 included physicians (75.0% male), 64.2% were general pediatricians, 77.5% practiced in private clinics, and 27.5% had more than 20 years of work experience. All participants gave medical advice over the phone; 61.7% considered that they should be reimbursed for these activities and 29.2% of them reviewed 50% of their patients for the same complaint. A total of 109 participants (90.8%) prescribed drugs using a direct phone call (80.7%), SMS (27.5%), or WhatsApp application (61.5%). Antipyretics (97.2%) and cough suppressants (48.1%) were the most frequently prescribed drugs. Pharmacists' corrective interventions were seen in 40.4% of prescriptions. Fever was the only symptom that was statistically associated with phone prescriptions. Prescribers seemed to be less experienced and were more likely to consider phone-based practices as reimbursable activities. Conclusions: Consultations and prescriptions through mobile phones are extremely frequent in pediatric practices, even when restricted by responsible authorities. Our results highlight the frequency of medical prescription errors and the need for corrective interventions by pharmacists. The current practice of telemedicine may not ensure the patient's safety but exists rather as a convenience. There is a need for proper oversight with a regulatory framework and input from all stakeholders, including pediatricians and pharmacists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond N. Haddad
- Department of Pediatrics, Hotel Dieu de France University Medical Center, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Celine Sakr
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University, Medical Sciences Campus, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lydia Khabbaz
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University, Medical Sciences Campus, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hayat Azouri
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University, Medical Sciences Campus, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Bassam Eid
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Hotel Dieu de France University Medical Center, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
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