RESUMEN
This study assessed the frequency of and rationale for use of injections at health care facilities in Egypt based on WHO core drug use indicators. We reviewed 1406 prescriptions in 43 randomly selected hospitals and primary health care clinics in 2 governorates in Upper and Lower Egypt in 2001. Patients received an injection at 18.1% of encounters. The most frequently prescribed parenteral drugs were anti-infectives (56.9% of injections) and analgesics (13.7%). Injections were more often prescribed in hospitals than in primary health care clinics and in rural than in urban settings. Most injections (94.7%) could have been replaced by a suitable oral preparation. Further efforts are needed to enforce the essential medicines programme in Egypt to improve rational drug prescribing.
Asunto(s)
Prescripciones de Medicamentos/estadística & datos numéricos , Inyecciones Intramusculares/estadística & datos numéricos , Selección de Paciente , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/estadística & datos numéricos , Procedimientos Innecesarios/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Analgésicos/uso terapéutico , Antiinfecciosos/uso terapéutico , Niño , Preescolar , Revisión de la Utilización de Medicamentos , Medicamentos Esenciales/uso terapéutico , Egipto , Femenino , Hospitales Públicos , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Atención Primaria de SaludRESUMEN
This study assessed the frequency of and rationale for use of injections at health care facilities in Egypt based on WHO core drug use indicators. We reviewed 1406 prescriptions in 43 randomly selected hospitals and primary health care clinics in 2 governorates in Upper and Lower Egypt in 2001. Patients received an injection at 18.1% of encounters. The most frequently prescribed parenteral drugs were anti-infectives [56.9% of injections] and analgesics [13.7%]. Injections were more often prescribed in hospitals than in primary health care clinics and in rural than in urban settings. Most injections [94.7%] could have been replaced by a suitable oral preparation. Further efforts are needed to enforce the essential medicines programme in Egypt to improve rational drug prescribing
Asunto(s)
Vías de Administración de Medicamentos , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina , Hepatitis C , Prescripciones de Medicamentos , InyeccionesRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to assess changes in biochemical markers of bone remodeling in early postmenopausal women receiving calcium supplementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized cross-over study of eighteen weeks duration, the effect of a 6-week calcium supplementation (1000 mg calcium carbonate) on biochemical markers of bone resorption (collagen type I cross-linked C- and N-telopeptides) and bone formation (osteocalcin, total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase), and total serum calcium was assessed in 27 early postmenopausal women. RESULTS: While total serum calcium levels increased significantly due to calcium supplementation (p<0.05), biochemical markers of both bone resorption and formation remained virtually unchanged. CONCLUSION: In contrast to other investigations, there was no significant short-term effect of calcium supplementation on biochemical markers of either bone resorption or formation.