+44 330 818 7254Asrat Agalu and Hailemeskel Mekonnen
The aim of this study was to assess drug prescribing practices in Pediatrics ward of Jimma University Specialized Hospital, (JUSH), southwest Ethiopia, January, 2008. A retrospective cross sectional study was conducted in pediatrics ward of Jimma University Specialized Hospital. Patient cards from January 2004-December 2007 were selected using random sampling techniques and reviewed using structured data collection format from January 19-25, 2008. The rationality of prescribing was compared with standard treatment guidelines, and different textbooks. The collected data was edited, coded, tallied and finally cleaned. Descriptive statistics was computed to meet the stated objective. On review of 384 sampled cards, 510 individual drugs were prescribed. Antibiotics 224 (44.9%) and analgesic/antipyretics 98 (19.2%) were the most commonly prescribed category of drugs. Paracetamole 86 (18.86%), Cotrimoxazole 79 (15.5%) and amoxicillin 53 (10.39%) were the most frequently prescribed drugs. About 261 (67.97%), 265 (51.82%), 63 (12.35%) and 176 (37.51%) of the drugs were prescribed with correct indication, frequency, duration and dose respectively. Drugs prescribed by generic name and from essential drug list of Ethiopia were 82% and 89.8%, respectively. Generally, there was irrational prescribing practice of drugs in the pediatric patients of the study hospital. Prescribers should regularly check completeness of patient cards and pharmacists should prepare a continuous health education programs on rational use of drugs and of course should work in a team sprit with prescribers
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