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Why Don't Medical Practitioners Treat Malaria Rationally? A Qualitative Study from Pakistan
Malik, Madeeha; Hassali, Mohamed Azmi Ahmad; Shafie, Asrul Akmal & Hussain, Azhar
Abstract
Purpose: To explore medical practitioners’ perceptions towards irrational malaria treatment practices in
Pakistan.
Methods: A qualitative study was designed to explore the perceptions of medical practitioners regarding
antimalarial prescribing practices in two major cities of Pakistan, namely, Islamabad (national capital)
and its twin city, Rawalpindi. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using in-depth interview guides
to collect data. Nineteen interviews with doctors working at different public and private hospitals in
Islamabad and Rawalpindi were conducted at a place and time convenient for the respondents. The
interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and evaluated by thematic content analysis and
other author analysis.
Results: The interviews focused on three major components, i.e., treatment practices in malaria and
influencing factors, role of Malaria Control Program, and suggestions for improvements. Thematic
content analysis of these components yielded further themes: (1) Prevalence of malaria, (2) Common
trends of treatment, (3) Current scenario of rational drug use, (4) Major contributing factors to irrational
drug use, (5) Use of antibiotics, (6) Role of healthcare system, (7) Role of Malaria Control Program, (8)
Role of hospital pharmacist, (9) Collaborative efforts of doctors and pharmacists in promoting rational
treatment practices, and (10) Strategies to improve current treatment practices.
Conclusion: The current study showed that all the respondents in the two cities agreed that irrational
prescribing practices, unavailability of drugs, lack of awareness and adherence of prescribers to
standard treatment guidelines, are the major factors contributing to irrational drug use in malaria in
Pakistan.
Keywords
Health practitioners, Malaria, Qualitative methodology, Rational drug use, Treatment practices
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