Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Commercial Drivers in Dar es Salaam with Regard to Medicines that Impair Driving

Purpose: The objective of this study was, first, to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of commercial drivers in Dar es Salaam with regard to medicines that impair driving, and second, to evaluate the adequacy of antihistamine label information. Methods: Drivers were interviewed using a questionnaire after obtaining their informed consent. Labels of medicines containing antihistamines were also evaluated for information regarding driving. Results: Fifty one percent (n=303) of drivers were not aware of medicines that impair driving. Out of those who used medicines impairing driving, 56.1% were not given precaution on the impairing effect ofthese medications by healthcare providers. Fifty two percent of the drivers did not know what to do when affected; 29.8% said they would continue driving while 16.2% would suspend driving. Drowsiness, fatigue and blurred vision were mentioned as the main effects that impaired driving. Cough syrups (64.7%), antimalarials (49.5%) and analgesics (28.7%) were mentioned most as medicines affecting driving. Labels on products containing equal concentrations of antihistamines revealed inconsistency indriving information with some products having cautionary information on driving while others had none. Conclusion: This study showed that most of the drivers interviewed had taken medications which impaired their driving but did not know what to do. These drivers were not well informed about the effects of these medicines on driving. There is need, therefore, to inform the public about medications that impair driving. This may help in reducing road traffic accidents which are on the increase since oneof the causal factors may be the intake of such medicines

Knowledge of Hypertensive Patients With or Without HIV on Hypertension and Their Experience in Using Their Medicines in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Role of the Pharmacist

Purpose: The study assessed the knowledge of both HIV and non-HIV hypertensive patients on hypertension and the role of pharmacists in their pharmaceutical care.Methods: The study was conducted at the hypertension and HIV clinics in government hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and pharmacists were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire and by observation.Results: Few patients in both groups knew the names of antihypertensive medicines they were taking. Information on the use of antihypertensive and antiretroviral (ARV) medicines was mostly provided by doctors. Adverse drug reactions were significantly more when patient used both ARVs and antihypertensive medicines than when they used only antihypentsives. Only 20 % of hypertensive-HIV patients informed the pharmacist dispensing antihypertensive medicines that they were using ARVs, and only 19 % of the pharmacists knew the drug interactions between ARVs and antihypertensive medicines. During dispensing, about 2 % of the patients were asked about other medicines being used. Conclusion: There is a need to improve patients’ knowledge of hypertension. The pharmacists should also have up-to-date knowledge of hypertension-HIV co-morbidity. Proper coordination between HIV and hypertension clinics and the full integration of a pharmacist in the health care team can help to improve patient care.Keywords: Hypertension, HIV/AIDS, Antiretroviral medicines,  Antihypertensive medicines, Adverse drug reaction, Dispensing, Knowledg