KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PREDNISOLONE PREVENTION OF CHLOROQUINE-INDUCED PRURITUS AMONG NIGERIAN HEALTH-WORKERS

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.