Healthcare professionals' level of medication knowledge in Africa: a systematic review

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
Derbew Fikadu BerhePeter G M Mol

Abstract

Understanding how much healthcare professionals (HCPs) know about medication can help in devising strategies to improve rational medication use. This study aimed to synthesize information on the level of medication knowledge of HCPs in Africa. We performed a systematic literature study in Embase and PubMed. We included original studies quantifying HCPs' medication knowledge, published between 2012 and 2016. We extracted disease focus, country, number and type of HCPs included and all medication-related knowledge questions and scored the quality of papers. The outcome measure was the percentage of HCPs who correctly answered medication knowledge questions. We identified 64 studies from 12 African countries, comprising 13 911 HCPs, mostly nurses/midwifes and physicians. We extracted 306 medication-related knowledge questions, and only 52% (SD 28) of HCPs correctly answered them. Knowledge questions were mainly about medication prescribed for communicable diseases (70%), followed by non-communicable diseases (11%), and family planning/gynaecology (10%). Most papers concluded that there was a considerable medication knowledge gap among HCPs. We found a low level of medication knowledge across different disease areas, countries and ...Continue Reading

References

Nov 23, 2006·Lancet·John ClelandJolene Innis
Mar 14, 2008·European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·T P G M De VriesH V Hogerzeil
Sep 18, 2008·Health Information and Libraries Journal·Grace Ada Ajuwon, Lenny Rhine
Jul 23, 2009·Annals of Internal Medicine·David MoherUNKNOWN PRISMA Group
Oct 27, 2009·BMC International Health and Human Rights·David M MasloveKumanan Wilson
Apr 23, 2011·Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care : JIAPAC·Rotimi S OwolabiAnd Tunde Onafowokan
Jul 28, 2011·BMC Health Services Research·Bjoerg O SimonsenPer G Farup
Mar 7, 2012·North American Journal of Medical Sciences·Asa AutaSamuel B Banwat
Mar 17, 2012·Journal of Infection in Developing Countries·Appolinary Kamuhabwa, Reena Chavda
Feb 12, 2013·International Journal of Nursing Studies·Richard G WamaiJavier Gordon Ogembo
Feb 13, 2013·Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin·L PeltolaG Pollach
May 7, 2013·BMC Research Notes·Victor MwanakasaleVictor Daka
Aug 7, 2013·BMC Cardiovascular Disorders·James KayimaFred Nuwaha
Aug 29, 2013·Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology·Bawo O JamesMaxine X Patel
Sep 17, 2013·Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety·Appolinary Ar Kamuhabwa, Richard Silumbe
Dec 25, 2013·International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy·Karine Wabø RuudElse-Lydia Toverud
Mar 7, 2014·Indian Journal of Palliative Care·Joseph O FadarePatrick T Adegun
Mar 19, 2014·International Archives of Medicine·Jean Jacques N NoubiapCharles S Wiysonge
Mar 20, 2014·Pharmacy Practice·Patricia U OgboRoseline I Aderemi-Williams
Apr 5, 2014·British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·Carolina J P W KeijsersPaul A F Jansen
May 9, 2014·Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy·Adetutu A AjemigbitseWilson O Erhun
Jun 10, 2014·Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice·I O Morhason-BelloO A Ojengbede
Jun 13, 2014·Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology : the Journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·B M AuduT Z Swende
Sep 6, 2014·The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease·E RuttaR Valimba
Oct 17, 2014·African Health Sciences·Aniekan J EtokidemIta B Okokon
Nov 5, 2014·Canadian Pharmacists Journal : CPJ = Revue Des Pharmaciens Du Canada : RPC·Serena BainsHilary Rowe
Nov 5, 2014·Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research·In Obumneme-AnyimIk Ndu
Feb 24, 2015·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Derbew Fikadu BerhePeter G M Mol

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
contraception
pharmacotherapy

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.