Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics

Abstract

Knowledge on Prescribed Artemether-Lumefantrine among Outpatients and Caretakers Attending Temeke Hospital: Patients Fundamental Rights

Emmanuel John Msovela and Joyce Masalu

Background: Patients have fundamental rights and dignity of receiving adequate information regarding their illness and therapeutic management. Adequate information is essential for good adherence of the prescribed drugs and for participating in decisions about treatment. The main objective of this study to assess the knowledge on prescribed Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) among outpatients and caretakers attending Temeke hospital.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving 224 outpatients and caregivers who were attending at Temeke Hospital and received (AL) drugs.

Result:Only 105 (46.9%) understood the Interval of hours required to take AL pills; their knowledge did not vary with sex. However those with university/college education (74.1%) were more likely to be knowledgeable as compared to those with primary or lower education (45%). Fifty eight percent of participants did not understand the number of days required to complete AL dosage, while only 114 (50.9%) understood the instructions written on the AL package. When asked about the consequences associated with incomplete AL dosage, 176 (78.6%) did not understand the risks of not completing AL dosage. More than half (58.5%) of participants were not satisfied with the information given by health workers about risks and benefits of the prescribed AL. The Majority (84.8%) of participants did not discuss with care provider about managing the prescribed AL. In this regard 198 (89.2%) of participants did not get an opportunity to ask any question about their prescribed drug.

Conclusion: Finally the prescribers must increase the time to spend with patients so as to enable them to understand the instruction provided because is the patients fundamental as articulated in the Universal Declaration of bioethics and Human Right (UDBHR).