Drug-related problems and associated factors among adult psychiatric patients admitted to selected hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Drug-related problem is defined as, an event or circumstance involving drug therapy that actually or potentially interferes with desired health outcomes. Psychiatric patients are more vulnerable to drug-related problems due to poly-pharmacy, the capacity of most antipsychotic medicines to act as enzyme inhibitors or inducers. Objectives: To assess the extent and characteristics of drug-related problems and associated factors among adult, admitted psychiatric patients. Method: A hospital-based multicenter Cross-sectional observational study was conducted from April 01 to July 30,2021 at Northwest Ethiopian hospitals. A total of 325 study participants were selected by a convenient sampling technique from all patients admitted to psychiatric wards at the hospitals. The data were entered into Epi data version 4.6.02 and, exported and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. The results were summarized using descriptive statistics including frequency, mean, and standard deviation. Independent variables having p-value < 0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis in order to control confounding effect. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval were also computed for each variable for the corresponding P-value. The value of P =< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: From the total of 325 study participants, more than half of them (52.9%) were females and the mean age ± (standard deviation) was 30.8±11.3 years. At least one drug-related problem was recorded from 60.9%, 95% CI (55.7-65.8) of study participants with a mean of 0.6±0.49 per patient. Need additional drug therapy was the most common DRP (22.8%), followed by non-adherence to medication (20.6%) and adverse drug reactions (11%) respectively. Factors independently associated with drug-related problems were rural residence [AOR=1.96, 95%CI: (1.01-2.84), P-value=0.046], Self-employed [AOR=6.0,95%CI:(1.0-36.9), p-value=0.035], and Alcohol drinkers [AOR=6.40,95%CI:1.12-37.5, p-value=0.034].

Conclusion: The prevalence of drug-related problems among adult psychiatric patients admitted to psychiatric wards was high. Healthcare providers give more attention to tackle these problems. Being a rural residence, self-employed, and Alcohol drinkers were associated with drug-related problems. Keyword: Psychiatric patients, Drug-related problems, Ethiopia.