Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26658645›Full record

ArticlePloS one2015

Drug Use during Acute Illness in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia: A Household Study.

Abrham Wondimu, Fantahun Molla, Solomon Abrha, Jemal Mohammed, Birhanu Demeke, Tadele Eticha, Admassu Assen, Wondim Melkam, Naod Gebre-Samuel, Derbew Fikadu Berhe and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Abrham WondimuDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Fantahun MollaDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Solomon AbrhaDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Jemal MohammedDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Birhanu DemekeDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Tadele EtichaDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Admassu AssenDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Wondim MelkamDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Naod Gebre-SamuelDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Derbew Fikadu BerheDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Ebisa TadeseDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Kedir EndrisDepartment of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDrug use study in the community enables health authorities to understand pattern of drug utilization and its related aspects. This, in turn, can help to develop rational drug policies to be harmonized in accordance to the need of the community.

objectiveThe aim of this study was to assess drug use during acute illness by the general population in Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia.

methodA community based cross-sectional study was undertaken in April 2013 in Tigray Region, Ethiopia. A total of 1034 households were interviewed in the study. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select households. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model.

resultsOut of 1000 households, 210(21%) reported an episode of acute illness. The prevalence of acute illnesses in rural areas 126(25%) (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.21-2.76) was significantly higher than that of urban areas 84(17%). Cough, runny nose, sore throat, earache, fever and headache added up to 155(52%) of all reported symptoms of acute illnesses. The majority of the patients 162 (77%) took modern medications for the managements of their diseases. Half 105(50%) of the consumed medications were antibiotics. The large proportions 173(83%) of medicines for acute illness were taken orally. The greater proportions 150(93%) of medications were prescribed by health professionals. Thirty-four households (21%) reported treatment discontinuation.

conclusionThe prevalence of acute illnesses in this study was found to be 21%. Acute illnesses were more common in rural areas than urban areas. Antibiotics were the most frequently used drugs for acute illnesses.

Indexed as

Acute DiseaseAdministration, OralAnti-Bacterial AgentsCross-Sectional StudiesEthiopiaHumansInterviews as TopicLogistic ModelsPrevalenceRural PopulationSurveys and QuestionnairesUrban PopulationAnti-Bacterial Agents

Identifiers

PMID26658645
PMCPMC4685994

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.