Background Although medications play a vital role in the cure, palliation, and inhibition of disease, they also expose patients to drug-related problems (DRPs). DRPs are common in hospitalized patients. Specifically, pediatrics population are easily affected by DRPs, as dynamic and kinetic behaviors of drugs in this population are usually different than in adults. Objectives To assess the prevalence of DRPs and associated factors in a pediatric setting in Ethiopia. Setting Pediatric ward of Zewditu Memorial Referral Hospital, Addis Abbeba, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 285 randomly selected patients. Data were obtained through review of physician medication orders and patient files. The prevalence and type of DRPs were studied and documented using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe Foundation classification system. The results were summarized using descriptive statistics including frequency, mean, and standard deviation. To identify the independent predicators of DRPs, logistic regression analysis was run and a P value ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Main outcome measure DRPs, types of DRPs, drugs that are frequently involved in DRPs, and factors associated with DRPs. Main outcome measure Number of DRPs. Results Of the 1055 medication orders reviewed, a total of 106 DRPs were identified in 90 patients. This gives an overall rate of drug-related problems of 31.57%. The most frequently identified DRPs were dosing problems, with dose too low being 34.9% and dose too high being 7.5%. This was followed by drug–drug interactions(38.67%) and adverse drug reactions (8.49%). The number of prescribed drugs (AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.3, P = 0.007) and total number of disease conditions (AOR4.8, 95% CI 1.9, 12.1, P = 0.001) were potential risk factors for occurrence of DRPs. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that DRPs were common at the pediatric ward of Zewditu Memorial Referral Hospital and that it needs great attention. The most frequently identified DRPs were dosing problems, followed by drug–drug interactions and adverse drug reaction. Poly-pharmacy and number of disease conditions have been identified as important risk factors for occurrence of DRPs. The investigators recommend establishing a system for reporting DRPs in the pediatric ward of the hospital as it may facilitate appropriate measures for prospective interventions, such as training the healthcare team, as well as detail precautions to be followed by the practitioners. In addition to this, improving communication between the healthcare team members such as physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare workers in the hospital is recommended.

ObjectiveStrict compliance to iron and folic acid supplementation is vital for prevention of anemia in pregnancy. However, data are scarce in Ethiopia. So, we conducted this study to assess the level of compliance to iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and its associated factors.ResultsOf 418 women, over half, 231 (55.3%), adhered to the recommended iron and folic acid supplementation. Women who started antenatal care (ANC) follow up early [AOR; 95% CI 2.43 (1.12–5.26)], had more frequent number of ANC visit [AOR; 95% CI 2.73 (1.32–5.61)], took small number of tablets per visit [AOR; 95% CI 3.0 (1.21–7.43)], had history of anemia [AOR; 95% CI 1.9 (1.17–3.12)], and were from urban areas [AOR; 95% CI 2.2 (1.29–3.77)], were more likely to conform to recommended iron and folic acid supplementation. Therefore, there need to be prescription of the lowest possible number of tablets per visit. Furthermore, education targeting on increasing maternal health service utilization need to be in place. There need to also be further research aimed at determining the number of tablets to be prescribed per visit specific to individuals’ background characteristics.

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) increases risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), premature death as well as cost related to health care.This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of MetS and its determinant factors among type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients attending a specialized hospital.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 256 T2DM patients from the first march to 30th May 2017 at university of gondar comprehensive specialized hospital (UGCSH). Data was collected based on STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology) statement. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were run to identify predictors of MetS from the independent variables and significance test was set at P <  0.05.ResultsThe prevalence of MetS in this study was 70.3, 57 & 45.3% and it is more common in females (66.1, 83.3 & 70.7%) by using national cholesterol education program adult treatment panel III (NCEP-ATP III), International diabetic federation (IDF) and world health organization (WHO) criteria respectively. The most prevalent components of MetS were low level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride(TG). By usingIDF criteria, female gender was significantly associated with MetS (AOR = 0.2 at 95%CI: 0.1, 0.6 P = 0.00). Where as by NCEP-ATP IIIcriteria, age between 51 and 64 years old (AOR = 2.4 95% CI: 1.0,5.8, P = 0.04), self employment (AOR = 2.7 95% CI:1.1, 6.5, P = 0.03), and completetion of secondary school and above (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI:1.6,6.7, P = 0.001) were predictors for the development of MetS. In the WHO criteria, being single in marital status was significantly associated with MetS (AOR = 17 at 95%CI: 1.8, 166, P = 0.000).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that Metabolic syndrome is a major health concern for diabetic patients in Ethiopia and they are at increased risk of developing complications such as cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality. The predictors female gender, age between 51 and 64 years old, urban area residence, and being single are modifiable.Thus,health authorities shall provide targeted interventions such as life style modifications to these most at risk sub-populations of diabetic patients.

Objective Medication non-adherence is a major public health problem that has been called an “invisible epidemic”. Globally, non-adherence rates among patients with severe mental illness ranged between 30 and 65%. It greatly increases the risk of illness exacerbation and hospitalizations. However, there is a paucity of studies examining treatment non-adherence and its associated factors among patients with severe mental disorder. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the magnitude of medication non-adherence and associated factors among patients with severe mental disorder. Results A total of 409 study subjects were participated making a response rate of 92%. The overall prevalence of medication non-adherence was found to be 55.2% (95%, CI; 49.9%, 60.2%). Study participants whose age group of (25–34) [AOR = 3.04 (95% CI 1.27, 7.29)], study subjects taking their medication twice per day [AOR = 4.60 (95% CI 2.25, 9.43)], no social support [AOR = 4.4 (95% CI 1.78, 11.08)] and no insight for their treatment [AOR = 5.88 (CI 2.08, 16.59)] were significantly associated with medication non-adherence. The result of this study showed that non-adherence among patients with severe mental disorder was found to be high. Psychiatry health care providers have to consider the frequency of medication become once per day, continual awareness creation among professionals and engaging significant others for good social support system and continual treatment alliance is strongly commended for adherence. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4126-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Herbal medicine use is increasing and the global market is estimated to be US$107 billion by the year 2017. Objectives This study aimed at assessing community pharmacists' personal use, knowledge, attitude, dispensing practice, and the barriers regarding herbal medicines. Methods Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 47 community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, using a structured interviewing questionnaire. Results Nearly half of the respondents (n = 22, 46.8%) sometimes use herbal medicines. Although knowledge related to such preparations was self-rated as poor/acceptable (n = 34, 72.4%), majority (n = 44, 93.7%) of community pharmacists agree/strongly agree that herbal medicines have beneficial effects. Only 6 (12.7%) of them are sometimes/often engaged in dispensing herbal medicines and most of them (n = 34, 72.3%) rarely/never counseled clients regarding these preparations. Limited knowledge on and access to information regarding herbal medicines are the main barriers to the pharmacists' practice. Conclusion Although community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, commonly use and demonstrated good attitude towards herbal medicines, they are less involved in dispensing such products. They are also challenged with limited knowledge on and access to herbal medicine information. Thus, pharmacy educators, professional organizations, and the government shall pay more attention to solve the problem. Regulatory provisions on herbal medicine dispensing must be enacted and communicated very well.