Psychotrophic prescribing practice at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: The study of psychotropic prescribing habits of professional colleagues has become important because of the widespread and unrestricted use of these drugs and the adverse effects of their long-term use. Furthermore, the irrational use of benzodiazepines and prophylactic use of antiparkinsonian drugs is a common practice in psychiatric, teaching and general hospitals especially in developing countries. This study aims to assess the psychotropic prescribing practice of doctors in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Method: In this cross-sectional survey, a sample of seventy (70) postgraduate resident doctors from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) were assessed using a modified version of the self-rated Kumar 12-item questionnaire and basic socio-demographic data were obtained for each doctor.

Results: The overall prescription rate of psychotropic drugs at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital was 45.7%. This was slightly higher among doctors on the medical wards. In fact, psychotropic prescribing of drugs defied diagnostic boundaries. Furthermore, benzodiazepine was the most commonly used drug,its use was unrestricted in all the departments of the hospital

Conclusion :In conclusion, findings indicate the need to encourage a more rational use of psychotropic drugs by doctors. We suggest psychotropic drug education in our medical curricula at both the undergraduate and postgraduate.