FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INCREASED POLYPHARMACY AMONG ADULT PATIENTS ATTENDING KAYUNGA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KAYUNGA DISTRICT.A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background:

Purpose: To determine the factors contributing to increased cases of polypharmacy among adult patients attending Kayunga Regionals Referral Hospital in Kayunga district.

Specific objectives: Finding out individual factors contributing to increased cases of polypharmacy among adult patients attending Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital. To determine health facility-related factors contributing to increased cases of polypharmacy among adult patients attending Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was used among 50 respondents. A simple random sampling technique was used. A questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The data was analyzed manually using tally sheets and presented as tables, pie charts, and bar graphs.

Results:

The majority of the respondents (30%) were aged  45-50 years, (70%) reported having been diagnosed with multiple diseases all at once, (64%) reported that they received more than five medications for managing the same condition, 60% took the drug with other supplements, 76% were not aware of the consequence of polypharmacy, (44%) got medication from the clinic, (82%) reported not having private prescribers, (56%) had been hospitalized for a week, (64%) reported that health workers are less experienced in the treatment of old adults leading to polypharmacy.

Conclusion:

Factors contributing to increased cases of polypharmacy are having multiple diagnoses, having more than five medications, internship prescribers, less experienced prescribers, taking drugs with supplements, chronic diseases, advanced age, and lack of improved hospitals with better services.

Recommendation:

The MoH and government should build better hospitals in rural areas so that people can access better services offered by well-trained medical workers, the management of Kayunga RRH should provide their health workers with continuous professional development through conducting seminars, academic worker shops, and appraisals to keep them updated on current treatment and prevention guidelines.