Healthcare professionals' level of medication knowledge in Africa: a systematic review.

Aims: Understanding how much healthcare professionals (HCPs) know about medication can help in devising strategies to improve rational medication use. This study aimed to synthesize information on the level of medication knowledge of HCPs in Africa.

Method: We performed a systematic literature study in Embase and PubMed.

Application of the STOPP/START criteria to a medical record database.

Purpose: The STOPP/START criteria are increasingly used to assess prescribing quality in elderly patients at practice level. Our aim was to test computerized algorithms for applying these criteria to a medical record database.

Methods: STOPP/START criteria-based computerized algorithms were defined using Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical (ATC) codes for medication and International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) codes for diagnoses.

Hypertension treatment practices and its determinants among ambulatory patients: retrospective cohort study in Ethiopia.

Objectives: We examined determinants of achieving blood pressure control in patients with hypertension and of treatment intensification in patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP).

Design: A retrospective cohort study in six public hospitals, Ethiopia.

Participants: Adult ambulatory patients with hypertension and with at least one previously prescribed antihypertensive medication in the study hospital.

Views of general practice staff about the use of a patient-oriented treatment decision aid in shared decision making for patients with type 2 diabetes: A mixed-methods study.

Background: Decision aids can be used to support shared decision making (SDM). A patient-oriented treatment decision aid (DA) was developed for type 2 diabetes but its use by general practice staff appeared to be limited.

Objectives: To explore views of practice staff towards SDM and the DA.

Impact of adverse drug events and treatment satisfaction on patient adherence with antihypertensive medication - a study in ambulatory patients.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of adverse drug events (ADEs) and treatment satisfaction on antihypertensive medication adherence.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six public hospitals in Ethiopia. We included adult ambulatory patients on antihypertensive medication.