Factors Influencing Rational Drug Use in Public Hospitals among Doctors and Pharmacists in Meru County

Abstract

Rational use of medicines requires that patients receives affordable, right drug and dose for the adequate period of time. Irrational drug use is influenced by lack of essential drugs, lack of training and weak implementation of policies. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that influence rational drug use among doctors and pharmacists in public hospitals in Meru County. Specific objectives were to examine how staff awareness on policy guidelines, management practices, product selection and inventory management influence rational drug use. A cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study. The sample size was 102 doctors and pharmacists in the public hospitals in Meru County. A Likert based questionnaire was used to collect data. There was a significant relationship between staff awareness (r=.232, p<0.05) and inventory management (r=.324, p<0.05) on rational drug use. Coefficient of determination (R) of 0.402 was obtained compared to overall R2 of 0.162 and this explains 40.2% of total variations that explained factors that influence rational drug use among the healthcare workers in Meru County. The ANOVA findings (p<0.05) shows that there was correlation between the predictors variables and the dependent variable RDU. The study recommends the following to the Hospital Management Team i) to offer training on rational drug use, ii) offer support supervision and appraisals iii) Constitute active Drugs and Therapeutics Committees iv) to form procurement committee with all stakeholders to strengthen inventory management.