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BackgroundMedication errors cause a large number of adverse drug events with negative patient health outcomes and are a major public-health burden contributing to 18.7–56 % of all adverse drug events among hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and determinants of medication errors and adverse drug events among hospitalized children.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted among hospitalized children in the pediatrics ward of Nekemte Referral Hospital from February 24 to March 28, 2014. Data were collected by using checklist guided observation and review of medication order sheets, medication administration records, and other medical charts of the patients. To identify the independent predictors of medication errors and adverse drug events, backward logistic regression analysis was used. Statistical significance was considered at p-value <0.05.ResultsOut of 233 patients who were included in the study, 175 (75.1 %) of patients were exposed to medication errors. From the 1,115 medication orders reviewed, 513 (46.0 %) medication errors, 75 (6.7 %) potential adverse drug events and 17 (1.5 %) actual adverse drug events were identified. Of the 17 adverse drug events, eight (47.0 %) were preventable while nine (53.0 %) were not. Most medication errors were dosing errors (118; 23.0 %), followed by wrong drug (109; 21.2 %) and wrong time of administration (79; 15.4 %). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, length of hospital stay of ≥ 5 days (AOR = 4.2, 95 % CI = 1.7-10.4, p = 0.002), and number of medication of 4–6 (AOR = 4.9, 95 % CI = 2.3-10.3, p < 0.001) and number of medication of ≥7 (AOR = 10.4, 95 % CI = 3.0-35.9, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of medication errors; and length of hospital stay of ≥ 5 days (AOR = 3.5, 95 % CI = 1.2-10.1, p = 0.023) and number of disease conditions =2 (AOR = 4.6, 95 % CI = 1.4-15.1, p = 0.014) were independent predictors of adverse drug events.ConclusionMedication errors and adverse drug events are common on the pediatrics ward of Nekemte Referral Hospital. In particular, children with multiple medications and longer hospital stays, and those with co-morbidities and longer hospital stays, were at greater risk for medication errors and adverse drug events, respectively.

Objective To assess the self-care practices and associated factors among diabetic patients in West Ethiopia. Results A total of 252 study participants were included in the study, of this 54.8% were male. Of the participants more than half 150 (59.5%) had poor glycemic control and 153 (60.7%) of the participants had good self-care. Majority of the study participants 209 (82.9%) had adequate foot care and more than half 175 (69.4%) and 160 (63.5%) had adequate dietary plan and exercise management respectively. However of the total diabetic patients only 38 (15.1%) had adequate blood glucose testing practices. On multivariable logistic analysis poor self-care practices were more likely to occur among male patients (AOR = 5.551, 95% CI = 2.055–14.997, p = 0.001), patients living in rural area (AOR = 5.517, 95% CI = 2.184–13.938, p < 0.001), patients with duration of diabetes < 6 years (AOR = 41.023, 95% CI = 7.373–228.257, p < 0.001), patients with no access for self-monitoring blood glucose (AOR = 9.448, 95% CI = 2.198–40.617, p = 0.003), patients with poor knowledge about diabetes (AOR = 67.917, 95% CI = 8.212–561.686, p < 0.001) and patients with comorbidities (AOR = 18.621, 95% CI = 4.415–78.540, p < 0.001).

Background. Adverse drug reactions are global problems of major concern. Adverse drug reaction reporting helps the drug monitoring system to detect the unwanted effects of those drugs which are already in the market. Aims. To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of health care professionals working in Nekemte town towards adverse drug reaction reporting. Methods and Materials. A cross-sectional study design was conducted on a total of 133 health care professionals by interview to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice using structured questionnaire. Results. Of the total respondents, only 64 (48.2%), 56 (42.1%), and 13 (9.8%) health care professionals have correctly answered the knowledge, attitude, and practice assessment questions, respectively. Lack of awareness and knowledge on what, when, and to whom to report adverse drug reactions and lack of commitments of health care professionals were identified as the major discouraging factors against adverse drug reaction reporting. Conclusion. This study has revealed that the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the health care professionals working in Nekemte town towards spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting were low that we would like to recommend the concerned bodies to strive on the improvement of the knowledge, attitude, and practice status of health care professionals.

Background:Hypertension is an overwhelming global challenge. Increasing awareness and diagnosis of hypertension, and improving control of blood pressure with appropriate treatment are considered critical public health initiatives to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.Objective:To assess non-adherence-related factors to antihypertensive medications among hypertensive patients on follow up at Nedjo General Hospital.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among hypertensive patients on follow up at Nedjo General Hospital from March 15 to May 5, 2015. A total of 172 hypertensive patients who were available during study period were included in the study. To identify the independent non-adherence-related factors, backward logistic regression analysis was used.Results:Only 54 (31.4%) of the study participants were adherent to their treatment. On multivariable logistic analysis non-adherence was more likely to occur among those with age of>55 years (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.01-0.85, p=0.035), illiteracy (AOR = 6.76, 95% CI = 1.01-45.08, p=0.049), income status of <500 Ethiopian birr (AOR = 18.51, 95% CI = 1.95-176.06, p=0.011), duration of treatments of>5 years (AOR = 5.41, 95% CI = 1.08-27.22, p=0.041), physical inactivity (AOR = 34.51, 95% CI = 4.66-255.89, p=0.001) and knowledge deficit about hypertension and its treatment (AOR = 7.67, 95% CI = 2.48-23.73, p<0.001).Conclusion:A finding of this study revealed that an adherence status of study participants was low. Thus, greater effort is needed to improve patient adherence to antihypertensive medications.