Blood pressure-lowering medication prescribing, its adherence to guidelines and relationship with blood pressure control at a family medicine department.

Background: In many resource-constrained countries, control of blood pressure (BP) is low. Antihypertensive drug prescribing practices may influence BP control. However, adherence of prescribing to treatment guidelines may not be optimal in resource-constrained settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of blood pressure-lowering medication prescribing, and how it adheres to treatment guidelines, and to identify the relationship between medication prescriptions and BP control. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study of hypertensive outpatients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) Family Medicine department (FMD)/Polyclinic. Data was collected with a validated structured form. Adherence of "prescribing" to recommendations of the 2017 Standard Treatment Guidelines of Ghana and 2018 European Society of Cardiology guidelines was assessed using a composite measure. We analyzed data with SPSS. Results: About 81% (247/304) of patients received two or more antihypertensive drugs. Most patients (41%; 267/651) received calcium channel blockers (CCB), and 21.8% (142/651), 15.7% (102/651) and 12.7% (83/651) were on diuretics, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors respectively. CCB plus RAS inhibitor (50%) was the most prescribed two-drug combination. Number of BP drugs per patient had a statistically significant inverse relationship with BP control (beta Coefficient = -0.402; 95% Cl: 1.252-2.470; p = 0.015). The composite adherence score was 0.73 (moderate adherence) but Single-pill combination (SPC) was poor (3.2%; n = 8). Conclusion: Most patients received multiple-pill combination treatment, and overall adherence to guidelines was suboptimal, largely owing to complex drug therapy. Number of drugs predicted BP control. Our findings suggest a need to prioritize simplified treatment, and implement other strategies to improve hypertension guideline adherence. Further research on the influence of SPC on BP control may inform future hypertension guidelines in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa.

Drug-related problems among hospitalized hypertensive and heart failure patients and physician acceptance of pharmacists' interventions at a teaching hospital in Ghana.

Background: Hypertensive and heart failure patients frequently require multiple drug therapy which may be associated with drug-related problems (DRPs). Aim: To determine the frequency, types, and predictors of DRPs, and acceptance of pharmacists' interventions among hospitalized hypertensive and heart failure patients. Method: It was a prospective cross-sectional study at the internal medicine department wards of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) between January and June 2019 using a validated form (the pharmaceutical care form used by clinical pharmacists at the medical department). DRPs were classified based on the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) Classification scheme for DRPs V8.02. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 247 DRPs were identified in 134 patients. The mean number of DRPs was 1.84 (SD: 1.039) per patient. Most DRPs occurred during the prescribing process (40.5%; n(DRPs) = 100), and the highest prescribing problem was untreated indication (11.7%; n = 29). Other frequent DRPs were medication counseling need (25.1%; n = 62), administration errors 10.1%(n = 25), drug interaction (10.5%; n = 26), and "no" or inappropriate monitoring (10.5%; n = 26). The number of drugs received significantly predicted the number of DRPs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 9.85; 95% CI: 2.04-47.50; p < 0.001). Clinical variables were significant predictors of number of DRPs (diabetic status: AOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18-0.98, p < 0.05; statin use: AOR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14-0.81, p < 0.05; antiplatelet use: AOR: 5.95, 95% CI: 2.03-17.48, p < 0.01). Average acceptance of interventions by physicians was 71.6% (SD: 11.7). Most (70.6%; n = 48) accepted interventions were implemented by physicians (resolved). Conclusion: DRPs frequently occur, with most problems identified in the prescribing process. Medication counseling was frequently needed. Patients' number of drugs and clinical factors predicted the occurrence of DRPs. Physicians accepted and implemented most interventions. Our findings suggest that clinical pharmacists have an important role in cardiovascular patient care, but this study should be replicated in other hospitals in Ghana to corroborate these findings.

Healthcare services utilisation among patients with hypertension and diabetes in rural Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain a global burden and is projected to increase due to aging, rapid urbanization and unhealthy lifestyles. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in rural districts in the Ashanti region of Ghana and to determine factors that influence utilization of health care services. SETTING: Offinso North, Amansie West, Ahafo Ano South, and Asante Akim South. METHODS: A population based prospective cross-sectional study comprising of adults aged 18 years and above was carried out from January 2016 to March 2016. A multistage sampling method was employed to select four rural districts in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from respondents. RESULTS: A total of 684 participants were recruited in the study. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was found to be 16.23% and 5.41% respectively. The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension comorbidity was 1.61%. The public hospital was the most preferred choice of facility (52.56%) for patients with NCDs.Educational level significantly decreased the likelihood of seeking healthcare in OTCMS and Health Centre to Hospitals (RRR = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.011-0.917, p = 0.042) and (RRR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.198-0.679, p = 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self -reported hypertension and diabetes observed in this study was relatively lower for hypertension and higher for diabetes as compared to other studies in Ghana. The public hospital is the most preferred choice of health facilities for patients with hypertension and diabetes in the rural districts.

Healthcare services utilisation among patients with hypertension and diabetes in rural Ghana

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain a global burden and is projected to increase due to aging, rapid urbanization and unhealthy lifestyles. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in rural districts in the Ashanti region of Ghana and to determine factors that influence utilization of health care services. Setting: Offinso North, Amansie West, Ahafo Ano South, and Asante Akim South. Methods: A population based prospective cross-sectional study comprising of adults aged 18 years and above was carried out from January 2016 to March 2016. A multistage sampling method was employed to select four rural districts in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from respondents. Results: A total of 684 participants were recruited in the study. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was found to be 16.23% and 5.41% respectively. The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension comorbidity was 1.61%. The public hospital was the most preferred choice of facility (52.56%) for patients with NCDs. Educational level significantly decreased the likelihood of seeking healthcare in OTCMS and Health Centre to Hospitals (RRR = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.011­0.917, p = 0.042) and (RRR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.198-0.679, p = 0.001) respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of self -reported hypertension and diabetes observed in this study was relatively lower for hypertension and higher for diabetes as compared to other studies in Ghana. The public hospital is the most preferred choice of health facilities for patients with hypertension and diabetes in the rural districts

Source of medicines and medicine information by self-reported persons living with hypertension and diabetes in rural and urban Ghana.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the source of medicines and medicine information of persons living with hypertension and diabetes in rural and urban Ghana and assessing if they are influenced by predisposing and enabling factors as defined by Andersen's behavioural model. METHODS: A population based cross sectional study was conducted in four (4) rural and four (4) urban districts in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A multistage and proportional sampling method was used in enrolling participants aged 18 years and above. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from respondents. Data collected was exported to STATA for analysis. Descriptive analysis was performed. Chi-square tests/Fisher's exact test and multinomial logistic regression models were used to establish association between variables. RESULTS: A total of 336 self -reported persons with hypertension and diabetes were enrolled in the study with 199(59.23%) living in urban communities. The majority of participants with hypertension and diabetes living in the rural communities 77 (56.20%) were females contrasting with the male majority in urban communities 106 (53. 27%). In the rural communities, 49 (35.77%) of participants sourced medicines from the health centre while 45 (32.85%) and 35(25.55%) sourced medicines from the hospital and over the counter medicine shop (OTCMS) respectively. In the urban communities, 153 (76.88%) sourced medicines from the hospital while 33 (16.58%) sourced medicines from the pharmacy. The predisposing factor age (OR: 1.1, 95%CI 1.040-1.210) under OTCMS, age (OR 1.0, 95% CI: 1.002-1.066) under hospital and enabling factor socioeconomic status (OR: 0.3, 95%CI 0.085-0.855) under Hospital influenced participant's source of medicine in the urban communities. The results also revealed that majority of participants in both rural 99 (72.26%), and urban 164 (82.41%) communities sourced medicine information mainly from public healthcare facilities, pre-disposing factors; age (OR 1.1 95%CI 1.032-1.270) under family member, age (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.022-1.167) under friend health professional, age (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.050-1.147) under nearest health institution, marital status (OR: 0.004, 95%CI 0.003-0.441) under friend health Professional were found to influence participants' source of medicine information in the urban communities while in the rural communities the predisposing factor marital status (OR 10.6, 95%CI 1.044 -106.835), education (OR: 26.1, 95%CI 1.271-537.279) under friend health professional, age (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.002-1.187), educational level (OR 30.6, 95%CI 1.718-546.668) under nearest health institution and enabling factor socio-economic status (OR 6.6, 95%CI 1.016 -43.510) under nearest health institution influenced one's source of medicine information. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of inhabitants with hypertension and diabetes in both rural and urban communities, sourced medicines and medicine information from public health institutions though a larger proportion was recorded in the urban communities. More participants in the rural communities than in the urban communities sourced medicines and medicine information from community pharmacies. Participants' source of medicine and medicine information was influenced by both predisposing and enabling factors.

Source of medicines and medicine information by self-reported persons living with hypertension and diabetes in rural and urban Ghana

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the source of medicines and medicine information of persons living with hypertension and diabetes in rural and urban Ghana and assessing if they are influenced by predisposing and enabling factors as defined by Andersen's behavioural model. Methods: A population based cross sectional study was conducted in four (4) rural and four (4) urban districts in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A multistage and proportional sampling method was used in enrolling participants aged 18 years and above. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from respondents. Data collected was exported to STATA for analysis. Descriptive analysis was performed. Chi-square tests/Fisher's exact test and multinomial logistic regression models were used to establish association between variables. Results: A total of 336 self -reported persons with hypertension and diabetes were enrolled in the study with 199(59.23%) living in urban communities. The majority of participants with hypertension and diabetes living in the rural communities 77 (56.20%) were females contrasting with the male majority in urban communities 106 (53. 27%). In the rural communities, 49 (35.77%) of participants sourced medicines from the health centre while 45 (32.85%) and 35(25.55%) sourced medicines from the hospital and over the counter medicine shop (OTCMS) respectively. In the urban communities, 153 (76.88%) sourced medicines from the hospital while 33 (16.58%) sourced medicines from the pharmacy. The predisposing factor age (OR: 1.1, 95%CI 1.040-1.210) under OTCMS, age (OR 1.0, 95%CI: 1.002-1.066) under hospital and enabling factor socioeconomic status (OR: 0.3, 95%CI 0.085-0.855) under Hospital influenced participant's source of medicine in the urban communities. The results also revealed that majority of participants in both rural 99 (72.26%), and urban 164 (82.41%) communities sourced medicine information mainly from public healthcare facilities, pre-disposing factors; age (OR 1.1 95%CI 1.032-1.270) under family member, age (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.022-1.167) under friend health professional, age (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.050-1.147) under nearest health institution, marital status (OR: 0.004, 95%CI 0.003-0.441) under friend health Professional were found to influence participants' source of medicine information in the urban communities while in the rural communities the predisposing factor marital status (OR 10.6, 95%CI 1.044 -106.835), education (OR: 26.1, 95%CI 1.271-537.279) under friend health professional, age (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.002-1.187), educational level (OR 30.6, 95%CI 1.718-546.668) under nearest health institution and enabling factor socio-economic status (OR 6.6, 95%CI 1.016 -43.510) under nearest health institution influenced one's source of medicine information. Conclusions: Majority of inhabitants with hypertension and diabetes in both rural and urban communities, sourced medicines and medicine information from public health institutions though a larger proportion was recorded in the urban communities. More participants in the rural communities than in the urban communities sourced medicines and medicine information from community pharmacies. Participants' source of medicine and medicine information was influenced by both predisposing and enabling factors

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Evaluation of a pharmacist-led hypertension preventative and detection service in the Ghanaian community pharmacy: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a pharmacist-led hypertension preventative service in the community pharmacy. METHODS: This was an exploratory uncontrolled pre-post intervention study conducted from February 2012 - March 2013 in three community pharmacies in Ghana. Clients at risk for hypertension were identified and screened by the Medicine Counter Assistant (MCA). Those whose blood pressure was above 140/90 (stage 1 and 2 hypertension) were referred to the pharmacist for further assessment and referral to the physician as necessary. Participant awareness of risk and changes in the lifestyle was assessed at baseline and 6-month follow-up respectively. KEY FINDINGS: Out of 250 clients approached, 170 agreed to be screened. Forty three (25%) were pre-hypertensive, 42 (25%) had stage 1 hypertension and 13 (8%) had stage 2 hypertension. The most frequent modifiable risk factors identified were lack of exercise 107 (63%), poor diet (42%) and obesity (21%). Lifestyle changes reported at 6 months by participants with pre-hypertension were weight reduction and reduced alcohol intake. Of the 34 participants who were referred to the physician, 10 (29%) were diagnosed with hypertension and an antihypertensive was prescribed. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension preventative services offered in the Ghanaian community pharmacy are acceptable to clients. The findings suggest that pharmacists can detect hypertension and promote some lifestyle changes among clients with pre-hypertension. A larger controlled study is needed to confirm these findings. Ultimately guidelines and polices to streamline these services would be needed if such services were made routinely available in community pharmacies in Ghana.

Patient related factors affecting adherence to antimalarial medication in an urban estate in ghana.

Our aim was to measure the adherence to Artemisinin based Combination Therapy and to determine patient related factors that affect adherence. Three hundred (300) patients receiving ACT treatment dispensed from the community pharmacy were randomly selected and followed up on the fourth day after the start of their three-day therapy to assess adherence. Adherence was measured by pill count. Quantitative interviews using a semistructured questionnaire were used to assess patients' knowledge and beliefs on malaria and its treatment. Adherence levels to the ACTs were 57.3%. Patient related factors that affected adherence to ACTs were patients' knowledge on the dosage (P = 0.007; v = 0.457), efficacy (P = 0.009; v = 0.377), and side effects (P = 0.000; v = 0.403) of the ACTs used for the management of malaria, patients' awareness of the consequences of not completing the doses of antimalarial dispensed (P = 0.001; v = 0.309), and patients' belief that "natural remedies are safer than medicines" and "prescribers place too much trust in medicines." There was no significant relationship between adherence and patients' knowledge on the causes, signs, and symptoms of malaria. There is the need for pharmacy staff to stress on these variables when counseling patients on antimalarials as these affect adherence levels.

Patient knowledge of medicines dispensed from Ghanaian community pharmacies / Conocimiento de los pacientes sobre medicamentos dispensados en las farmacias comunitarias de Ghana

Background: One vital requirement for patient adherence to medicines is good patient knowledge of the medicines dispensed and this will invariably be linked to good labelling and counselling. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of labelling of medicines and determine patient knowledge of the administration of medicines dispensed from a community pharmacy in Ghana. Methods: From 6th to 29th January, 2010, dispensed prescriptions of 280 clients were purposely sampled to evaluate the quality of labelling. These clients were also interviewed about their knowledge of the last medicine received immediately after dispensing. A scoring system was employed by awarding a point for each attribute written on the package and each attribute stated by the patient. The dispensing attributes noted were name, dosage, frequency, duration, quantity and route of administration. Results: Of the 280 patients interviewed, 157 (56%) were males. Thirty one (11%) had no education and 99(35%) were secondary school graduates. Antimalarials comprised 17.9% and analgesics, 15.4% of medicines dispensed. The name, quantity, dosage, frequency, duration of therapy and route of administration were written on the label in 98%, 99%, 55%, 54%, 6% and 2% respectively of the dispensed medicines. The mean labelling score was 3.096 (SD=1.05) out of 6. The corresponding patient knowledge values were 63%, 80%, 80%, 75%, 57% and 86%. The mean knowledge score was 4.375 (SD; 1.38) out of 6. The chi square test p-value for the effect of demographic characteristics (sex, educational background, location) on patient knowledge of medicines dispensed were p=0.454; p=0.000, and p=0.138 respectively Conclusion: Patient knowledge of the administration of dispensed medicines was rated good; and this largely corresponded with the quality of labelling, except that the duration of therapy and route of administration was not frequently written and so labelling was rated just above average (AU)

Antecedentes: Un requisito básico pata la adherencia del paciente a la medicación es el buen conocimiento de los medicamentos dispensados, lo que estará invariablemente ligado a un buen etiquetado y asesoramiento. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la calidad del etiquetado de los medicamentos y determinar el conocimiento de los pacientes sobre la administración de os medicamentos dispensados en farmacia comunitaria en Ghana. Métodos: Para evaluar la calidad del etiquetado, entre 6 y 29 de enero de 2010, se muestrearon propositivamente los medicamentos dispensados. También se entrevistó a estos clientes sobre su conocimiento de la última medicina recibida en la dispensación. Se utilizó un sistema de puntuación que asignaba un punto a cada atributo que aparecía escrito en el embalaje y a cada atributo respondido por el paciente. Estos atributos eran; nombre, dosis, frecuencia, duración, cantidad y vía de administración. esultados: De los 280 pacientes entrevistados, 157 (56%) eran hombres. 31 (11%) no tenía educación y 99 (35%) eran graduados en escuela secundaria. Los antimaláricos supusieron el 17,9% de las medicinas dispensadas y los analgésicos el 15,4%. El nombre, cantidad, dosis, frecuencia, duración del tratamiento y vía de administración estaban escritos en el 98%, 99%, 55%, 54%, 6% y 2% de los medicamentos dispensados. La media de la puntuación del etiquetado fue de 3,096 (SD=1.05) sobre 6. Los valores equivalentes del conocimiento de los pacientes fueron 63%, 80%, 80%, 75%, 57% y 86%. La puntuación promedio del conocimiento fue de 4,375 (SD=1,38) sobre 6. El valor de los p en la prueba chi-cuadrado para el efecto de las características demográficas (sexo, educación, localidad) sobre el conocimiento del paciente fueron p=0.454; p=0.000, and p=0.138 respectivamente. Conclusión: El conocimiento de los pacientes sobre los medicamentos dispensados fue calificado de bueno, y se corresponde con la calidad del etiquetado, excepto para la duración del tratamiento y vía de administración, que no estaban escritas normalmente, lo que provocó que el etiquetado fuese calificado solo como sobre la media (AU)