Assessment of the pharmacist workforce in Ethiopia

Background: Health workers are recognized as the cornerstone for the success of the health sector programs. In this regard, proper planning of the development of health workers including pharmacists based on evidence is critical.Aim: To assess the pharmacist workforce in Ethiopia.Method: A national facility based census of the pharmacist workforce was conducted in Ethiopia. Pharmacists’ job satisfaction was also assessed taking cross-section of pharmacists from six regions by applying a stratified random sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was employed for the quantitative data collection.Results: The study revealed a pharmacist density of 2.38 per 100,000 population. Across the different regions of the country, the density ranges from 0.66 to 29.88. Pharmacists’ satisfaction with their job appeared to be slightly above the average mean score, with an overall mean job satisfaction score of 3.0 (SD=1.11) in a scale of 1-5. Relation with fellow professionals was an item with the highest mean job satisfaction, while remuneration was ranked least by the pharmacists. Hospital pharmacists and younger pharmacists were significantly less satisfied than pharmacists working elsewhere.Conclusion: This study has shown that Ethiopia suffers from shortage of pharmacists and their mal-distribution across regions was also evident. Moreover, job satisfaction of the pharmacists in the country was slightly higher than the average mean satisfaction score on a scale of 1-5. Thus, government and other stakeholders should work together to devise mechanisms that could improve pharmacists’ job satisfaction, ease uneven distribution among regions andexpand the future pharmacy workforce

Assessment of pharmacists workforce in Ethiopia

Background: Health workers are recognized as the cornerstone for the success of the health sector programs. In this regard, proper planning of the development of health workers including pharmacists based on evidence is critical.Aim: To assess pharmacists work force in Ethiopia.Method: A national facility based census of the pharmacist workforce was conducted in Ethiopia. Pharmacists’ job satisfaction was also assessed taking cross-section of pharmacists from six regions by applying stratified random sampling method. Self-administered questionnaire was employed for the quantitative data collection.Results: The study revealed a pharmacist density of 2.38 per 100,000 population. Across different regions of the country, the density ranges from 0.66 to 29.88. Pharmacists’ satisfaction with their job appeared to be slightly above the average mean score, with overall mean job satisfaction score of 3.0(SD=1.11) in a scale of 1-5. Relation with fellow professionals was an item with the highest mean job satisfaction, while remuneration, ranked least by pharmacists. Hospital pharmacists and younger pharmacists were significantly less satisfied than pharmacists in the other categories.Conclusion: This study has shown that Ethiopia suffers from shortage of pharmacists and maldistribution across regions was also evident. Moreover, job satisfaction of the pharmacists in the country was slightly higher than the average mean satisfaction score. Thus, government and other stakeholders should work together to devise mechanisms that could improve pharmacists’ job satisfaction, ease uneven distribution among regions and increase the future workforce

Prevalence of Tuberculosis and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Tuberculosis among Inmates in Debrebirhan Prison, North Shoa Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of tuberculosis in vulnerable groups such as prisoners is usually high, and the problem is worsened by poor treatment outcomes. In spite of this, there is limited information regarding tuberculosis in prisons of Ethiopia. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of tuberculosis and treatment outcomes of patients with tuberculosis among inmates of Debrebirhan prison in North Shoa, Ethiopia.METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among inmates of Debrebirhan prison. Data were collected by reviewing the medical charts and other records of prison inmates diagnosed and treated for tuberculosis between September 2010 and August 2015. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.RESULTS: A total of 162 patients with tuberculosis were registered and treated at Debrebirhan prison health center within the five years study period. The overall average prevalence was found to be 32 per 1538 (2139 per 100,000) prison inmates. Regarding treatment outcome, 44(27.2%) were cured, 59(36.42%) completed treatment, 2(1.24%) were treatment failures, 6(3.72%) died and 51(31.5%) were not evaluated. The five year’s treatment success rate was found to be 63.62%. Area of residence (AOR= 3.59; 95% CI: 1.44, 8.93), duration of imprisonment (AOR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.53, 8.78) and history of tuberculosis were significantly associated with treatment outcome of tuberculosis.CONCLUSION: This study showed high prevalence of tuberculosis in Debrebirhan prison. It also revealed that the treatment success rate of patients with tuberculosis was lower than the target set by World Health Organization.KEYWORDS: Tuberculosis, Treatment outcome, Prevalence, Prison, Inmates, Ethiopi

Valuing health state: An EQ-5D-5L value set for Ethiopians

Objectives There is a growing interest in health technology assessment and economic evaluations in developing countries such as Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to derive an EQ-5D-5L value set from the Ethiopian general population to facilitate cost utility analysis. Methods A nationally representative sample (N = 1050) was recruited using a stratified multistage quota sampling technique. Face-to-face, computer-assisted interviews using the EuroQol Portable Valuation Technology (EQ-PVT) protocol of composite time trade-off (c-TTO) and discrete choice experiments (DCEs) were undertaken to elicit preference scores. The feasibility of the EQ-PVT protocol was pilot tested in a sample of the population (n = 110). A hybrid regression model combining c-TTO and DCE data was used to estimate the final value set. Results In the pilot study, the acceptability of the tasks was good, and there were no special concerns with undertaking the c-TTO and DCE tasks. The coefficients generated from a hybrid model were logically consistent. The predicted values for the EQ-5D-5L ranged from −0.718 to 1. Level 5 anxiety/depression had the largest impact on utility decrement (−0.458), whereas level 5 self-care had the least impact (−0.222). The maximum predicted value beyond full health was 0.974 for the 11112 health state. Conclusions This is the first EQ-5D-5L valuation study in Africa using international valuation methods (c-TTO and DCE) and also the first using the EQ-PVT protocol to derive a value set. We expect that the availability of this value set will facilitate health technology assessment and health-related quality-of-life research and inform policy decision making in Ethiopia

Advocacy for Increased International Efforts for Antimicrobial Stewardship Actions in Low-and Middle-Income Countries on Behalf of Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials (APUA), Under the Auspices of the International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC)

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a set of coordinated strategies to improve the use of antimicrobials, to enhance patient outcomes, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and decrease unnecessary costs. The pioneer years of AMS were restricted to high-income countries (HIC), where over consumption of antibiotics was associated with emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. AMS in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is also necessary. However, programs effective in HIC may not perform as well in LMIC, because (i) While decreased consumption of antibiotics may be an appropriate target in over consuming HIC, this may be dangerous in LMIC, where many patients die from the lack of access to antibiotics; (ii) although AMS programs in HIC can be designed and monitored through laboratory surveillance of resistance, surveillance programs are not available in many LMIC; (iii) the heterogeneity of health care systems implies that AMS programs must be carefully contextualized. Despite the need to individually tailor AMS programs in LMIC, international collaborations remain highly valuable, through the dissemination of high-quality documents and educational material, that may be shared, adapted where needed, and adopted worldwide. This process, facilitated by modern communication tools, combines many benefits, including: (i) saving time, a precious dimension for health care workers, by avoiding the duplication of similar works in different settings; (ii) taking advantage of colleagues skills, and initiatives, through open access to the work performed in other parts of the world; (iii) sharing experiences, so that we all learn from each others' successes and failures

Pneumococcal disease burden and vaccination coverage in older adults: where does Canada stand?

Prevention of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in aging adult population is imperative for healthy aging. Here we reflect on where Canada stands with regard to vaccine-preventable pneumococcal diseases in older adults, specifically the continuing high disease burden, current evidence on effectiveness and observed impact of pneumococcal vaccines, and suboptimal vaccine uptake in older adults. The need for ongoing strong disease surveillance is emphasized, and the implications of a lack of adult vaccine registry are also discussed

Exploration of over the counter sales of antibiotics in community pharmacies of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: pharmacy professionals’ perspective

Abstract Background Over the counter sale of antibiotics is a global problem and it is increasingly recognized as a source of antibiotic misuse and is believed to increase treatment costs, adverse effects of treatment and emergence of resistance. The increasing trend of over the counter sale of antibiotics in Ethiopia calls for exploration of why such dispensing is practiced. This study aims to explore reasons for over the counter sale of antibiotics in the community pharmacies of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted in five randomly selected community pharmacies of Addis Ababa. One pharmacy professional from each pharmacy were interviewed at the spot using semi-structured, open-ended interview checklist. Besides, observation of professionals’ dispensing practice was made for at least one hour in the same community pharmacies using an observation checklist. Findings were categorized into specific themes that were developed following the objectives. This was facilitated by use of OpenCode 3.6 software. Results All participants pointed out that antibiotics were frequently dispensed without prescription and contend that the trend of such dispensing has been increasing. The findings indicated that the nonprescription sales of antibiotics were common for Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Cotrimoxazole. The poor, less educated and younger groups of the population were reported to frequently request antibiotics without prescription. The main reasons for nonprescription sale of antibiotics by pharmacy professionals were found to be related to pharmacy owner’s influence to maximize revenue, customer’s pressure, weak regulatory mechanism and professional conflicts of interest. Conclusion The study shows that nonprescription sale of antibiotics was common practice at least in Addis Ababa. The main reasons for this malpractice were the need to maximize revenue and weak regulatory mechanism. Hence, strong regulatory enforcement and community awareness campaign is called for to limit nonprescription sale of antibiotics

Desta Gebretekle.pmd

ABSTRACT Six isomeric nitro-and methoxy anilines were condensed with vanillin to obtain Schiff's bases. A new series of 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl)-1-thiazolidinone derivatives were synthesized by the cyclocondensation of Schiff's bases with mercapto acetic acid. The chemical structures of synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, molecular weight determination, IR

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of Tuberculosis Patients in Direct Observation Therapy Program towards Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is becoming a major challenge of tuberculosis (TB) control program globally but more serious in developing countries like Ethiopia. In 2013, a survey result showed that in Ethiopia, tuberculosis patients from new cases and retreatment cases had resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin with a significant increase over time. Inadequate knowledge and wrong perception about MDR-TB by patients were detrimental to TB control programs. The study aimed at assessing the knowledge and attitude of TB patients of direct observation therapy program towards multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in health centres of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 health centres of Addis Ababa which were selected by simple random sampling technique. A total of 422 TB patients were included in the study, and participants from each health centres were taken proportional to the number of clients in each health centres. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Association between outcome and independent variables was explored using logistic regression. Results. The level of knowledge of TB patients about MDR-TB was poor and only 55.0% of TB patients attained good overall knowledge. A significant association was found between good knowledge and attending tertiary level of education (AOR=4.3, 95%CI=1.9, 9.8), gender (AOR=1.62, 95%CI=1.1, 2.4), income of respondents’ family (OR=0.4, 95%CI=0.2, 0.9), and sleeping practice (AOR=8.0, 95%CI=4.0, 15.7). Nearly three-fourths (73.5%) of TB patients had a favourable attitude towards MDR-TB. Occupational status (AOR=4.4, 95%CI=2.5, 7.6) and sleeping practices (AOR=2.4, 95%CI=1.2, 5.0) were significantly associated with the attitude of the TB patients. Conclusions. Knowledge of TB patients toward MDR-TB was poor. Although a large proportion of patients had a favourable attitude, it still needs to be improved. Hence, efforts should be made to implementing health education to improve awareness of TB patients about MDR-TB