B. Gumodoka et al., INJECTION PRACTICES IN MWANZA REGION, TANZANIA - PRESCRIPTIONS, PATIENT DEMAND AND STERILITY, TM & IH. Tropical medicine & international health, 1(6), 1996, pp. 874-880
This paper describes prescription and sterilization practices in Mwanz
a Region, Tanzania, before the introduction of interventions aiming at
reducing HIV transmission by injections. Sixty-six health facilities
from Mwanza Region were included in the study. Data were collected in
interviews and questionnaires, through structured observation, bacteri
ological culture and record analysis. Criteria for-avoidable injection
s were based on recommendations of the Essential Drugs Programme and o
n a regional consensus workshop. One in 4 out-patients received an inj
ection 70% of which were avoidable. Most were given for acute respirat
ory infections, skin diseases and urinary tract infections. Forty per
cent of cultures taken from sterilized needles and syringes yielded gr
owth of microorganisms. Of 120 patients interviewed most preferred to
be treated with injections for almost any complaint. Patient demand fo
r injections was felt to be a problem in 85% of the health facilities
and may have contributed to overprescription of injectables. Consensus
treatment and sterilization guidelines as well as a health education
programme were developed and introduced to all health workers through
seminars.