Polypharmacy among adults receiving outpatient care at Kitgum General Hospital, Northern Uganda

BMC Primary Care

Table 3 Medicine intake among adults receiving outpatient care at Kitgum General Hospital, Uganda (n = 422)

Factors	Frequency	Percentage
Number of medicines taken concurrently daily	n = 422
Five or more (polypharmacy)	183	43.4
Less than five	239	56.6
Over-the-counter Drugs intake	n = 422
No	277	65.6
Yes	145	34.4
Management of medicine intake	n = 422
Independently	379	89.8
With Assistance from caregivers	37	8.8
HCP administered	6	1.4
Had Side Effects	n = 422
No	385	91.2
Yes	37	8.8
Side Effects	n = 37
Body rashes and itching	6	16.2
GIT Disturbance	14	37.9
Difficulty with adherence	6	16.2
Tinnitus	1	2.7
Headache	6	16.2
Dizziness	4	10.8
Cadre of prescriber	n = 422
Nurse	18	4.3
Clinical officer	281	66.6
Medical officer	85	20.1
Pharmacist	16	3.8
Specialist	22	5.2

ISSN: 2731-4553