Patient Preference and Adherence (Jan 2021)
Exit-Knowledge About Dispensed Medications and Associated Factors Among Patients Attending the Outpatient Pharmacy of Ambo General Hospital, Western Ethiopia
Abstract
Endalkachew Mekonnen Eticha,1 Workineh Diriba Gemechu2 1Department of Pharmacy, Ambo University, Ambo, Oromia, Ethiopia; 2School of Medicine, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Somali, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Endalkachew Mekonnen EtichaDepartment of Pharmacy, Ambo University, Ambo, Oromia, EthiopiaTel +251967344420Email [email protected]: Insufficient knowledge of patients about their dispensed medications may result in inappropriate use of medication which can lead to treatment failure and poor therapeutic outcome.Purpose: This study aimed to determine the exit-knowledge level and its determinants among patients attending outpatient pharmacy of the Ambo General Hospital.Patients and Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 study participants who visited the outpatient pharmacy in Ambo General Hospital from October to December 2019. Face-to-face interview was conducted using structured questionnaires to assess the exit-knowledge of the patients about their dispensed medication at the pharmacy exit. A binary logistic regression was employed to determine factors associated with the exit-knowledge. The association was statistically significant at 95% of confidence interval with a p-value less than 0.05.Results: A total of 400 patients participated in the study with a 100% response rate. Of the total, 222 (55.5%) patients had sufficient exit-knowledge about their dispensed medication. Patients in the age group of 19– 29 (AOR=3.1; 95% CI (1.7– 5.6) and 49 − 59 (AOR = 3.7; 95% CI (2.3– 6.0)) had greater exit-knowledge than the elderly participants (> 60 years). Participants who reported the comfort of the waiting area was not suitable had lower odds of sufficient exit-knowledge (AOR= 0.7; 95% CI (0.2– 3.0)) in comparison to those who reported a suitable waiting area. Lower odds of sufficient exit-knowledge (AOR=0.4; 95% CI (0.3– 0.7)) was determined among those who responded fairly clarity of the dispensers guidance in comparison with those reported clear guidance. The gender and the residence of the participants were also had a significant association with the exit-knowledge level.Conclusion: Modest number of the patients had sufficient exit-knowledge of their dispensed medication. Age, gender, residence, perceived comfort of the waiting area and perceived clarity of the pharmacists’ guidances were significantly associated with the exit-knowledge.Keywords: exit-knowledge, outpatient pharmacy, patients
