A Systematic Approach to Improve Rational Medicine Use in Eswatini
A systematic approach to improve rational medicine use in Eswatini Nondumiso Beauty Queeneth Ncube Student number: 3616957 Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree PhD in the School of Public Health, Community and Health Sciences Faculty, University of the Western Cape Supervisor: Dr. Hazel Anne Bradley Co-Supervisors: Prof Helen Schneider and Prof Richard Laing i http://etd.uwc.ac.za/ Abstract Studies on rational medicine use (RMU) have mainly focused on identifying, quantifying, and addressing irrational use without exploring reasons behind this irrational use. In addition, minimal work has been conducted on irrational use of medicines in the context of the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This PhD research examined medicine use in Eswatini, (previously Swaziland) between April 2017 and March 2019, with a focus on prescribing practices linked to specific diagnoses. It further explored factors influencing RMU, which included testing the effects of a short intervention - prescription audit and feedback coupled with small group education - on prescribing practices in health facilities. This intervention study employed a mixed methods approach with both quantitative and qualitative components. RMU was assessed based on the World Health Organization/ International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs (WHO/INRUD) prescribing indicators at three time points: baseline, post intervention and post follow-up. Baseline results were used to design an unblinded intervention in 32 health facilities, randomly allocated to intervention (16) and control (16) arms. The intervention, prescription audit coupled with small group education, was designed based on baseline findings. Percentage of prescriptions with at least one antibiotic was used to allocate facilities to intervention and control arms.
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