Observational studyBMJ paediatrics open2022
Evaluation of rational prescribing in a hospital paediatric outpatient clinic in Nigeria.
Observational study in BMJ paediatrics open, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled 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.
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.
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 18 citations in OpenAlex.
- National and regional challenges of antibiotic prescribing patterns in pediatric populations across Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Systematic reviews · 2026Pooled it
- A multicenter point-prevalence survey of antibiotic utilization patterns in Ethiopia: implications for strengthening stewardship programs.BMC infectious diseases · 2026Article
- Pattern and appropriateness of antibiotic therapy for acute respiratory tract infection among under-five children accessing care in a tertiary facility, Sokoto, Nigeria.BMJ paediatrics open · 2025Article
- Antimicrobial prescribing patterns among pediatric outpatient encounters in primary healthcare centers in Bujumbura Mairie, Burundi.BMC primary care · 2025Article
- From prescribing indicators to rational drug use: a medication safety perspective.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2025Article
- Rational prescribing and dispensing of oral dosage forms of medicines to children: an observational study.BMJ paediatrics open · 2024Observational
- Hospital prescribing patterns of antibiotics in Zambia using the WHO prescribing indicators post-COVID-19 pandemic: findings and implications.JAC-antimicrobial resistance · 2024Article
- Evaluating drug use patterns among paediatric outpatients in Burundi.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 4 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundIrrational prescribing is a continuing public health issue in low/middle-income countries. This study evaluated the drug use pattern of medicines in paediatrics aged below 12 years attending the outpatient paediatric clinic of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
methodAn observational cross-sectional study was conducted using patients' medical records who attended the outpatient paediatric clinic from 1 January to 30 April 2022. The WHO prescribing indicators and guidelines for investigating drug use in health facilities were used.
resultA total of 800 prescriptions containing 2723 drugs were analysed, with a mean number of drugs per prescription of 3.4. A total of 651 patients (81.3%) had at least one antibiotic, and the number of encounters with injection was 17.5% (140 patients). Prescribing by generic name was done for 1406 (51.6%) drugs; of the 2723 drugs prescribed, 2441 (89.6%) were from the WHO Pediatric Essential Medication List. In addition, 80% of the prescriptions contained antimalaria. Analgesics/antipyretics were the most frequently prescribed medicine (87.9%).
conclusionThe findings of this study deviated from the WHO recommended standards. There is a need to target paediatric clinics further and enforce national strategies to tackle non-standard prescribing practices among the paediatric population.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.