Aa. Ajayi et al., KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PREDNISOLONE PREVENTION OF CHLOROQUINE-INDUCED PRURITUS AMONG NIGERIAN HEALTH-WORKERS, Tropical doctor, 28(4), 1998, pp. 210-211
Severe generalized pruritus is a common drawback in chloroquine therap
y of malaria in black Africans. In a cross-sectional study, we evaluat
ed the knowledge, attitude and practice of 117 Nigerian hospital worke
rs, who historically itch to chloroquine, to the use of prednisolone t
o prevent chloroquine pruritus in malaria. Ninety per cent of responde
nts had a positive family history of chloroquine induced pruritus. Sev
enty-Rye per cent (92) of the subjects were aware of the anti-pruritic
action of prednisolone, but only 43% (n = 40) have ever used it durin
g malaria. Among the prednisolone users (n = 40). 25 (62.5%) had total
prevention, 25% (n = 10) had marked pruritus attenuation, but no effe
ct was seen in 12.5% (n = 5). The modal prednisolone dose causing inhi
bition of itching was 10 mg orally given once. Concurrent prednisolone
increased compliance with chloroquine in 68% of all who used the comb
ination, and there was no evidence of malaria recurrence.