Potential medication errors and their predictors among hospitalized Paediatric patients at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Medication errors caused by human error or system flaws pose a significant risk to the safety of paediatric patients. These errors can lead to adverse drug reactions, decreased treatment effectiveness, and even death. However, there is a scarcity of data related to magnitude of medication errors in African countries including Tanzania. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of potential medication errors and their predictors among paediatric patients admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania. Methodology: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study which was conducted from April to June 2024. A total of 365 participants were recruited consecutively during the study period. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from participants below 18 years who provided an assent and their parents/guardian consented. Using SPSS version 27, data was entered and cleaned. Frequencies were run to obtain distributions. A univariable analysis was conducted and factors with a p-value <0.2 were considered fit for a multivariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis, factors with p-value <0.05 were statistically significant. Results: This study revealed that 72.1% (263) of participants experienced medication errors, with duration errors 65.2% (238) and route errors 42.2% (154) being predominant. Commonly prescribed medications included vitamins/minerals (35.6%), bronchodilators (23.6%), and antibiotics (21.1%). Significant predictors of medication errors included shorter hospital stays (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.886, 95% CI: 2.702-8.835), absence of previous medication errors (AOR: 2.558, 95% CI: 1.393-4.697), and lack of medication error training for healthcare workers especially dispensers (AOR: 11.4, 95% CI: 4.945-26.348). Infrastructure factors, such as the absence of a dose reconciliation protocol, were also associated with increased odds of potential medication error (AOR: 2.097, 95% CI: 0.793-4.912). Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of potential medication error among paediatric patients. Significant predictors of medication errors identified include hospital stay of less than 5 days, lack of previous medication history, absence of medication error training for healthcare workers, and the absence of a dose reconciliation protocol. This study calls for further research in Tanzania to enhance medication error training among healthcare workers, developing standardized reconciliation protocols, as well as improving hospital infrastructure with regard to medication prescription, dispensing and administration.