Knowledge and practice of physicians' towards use and prescription of proton pump inhibitors in Benghazi, Libya

Abdulmuez Abdulmalik

Abstract

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most potent inhibitors of gastric acid secretion. They are commonly prescribed for a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. PPIs are generally considered to be safe agents which enhance PPIs over-prescription by physicians worldwide. The aim of the study was to assess and evaluate the knowledge and practice of physicians towards PPIs use and prescription in Benghazi city. A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted on August 2019. Data were entered, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS). The results were presented as frequencies and percentages. A total of 118 physicians from different departments and levels in Benghazi medical center (BMC) completed the questionnaire. Majority of the physicians (86.4%) prescribe PPI to their patients. One-third of the physicians prescribed PPIs for less than 2 weeks. Omeprazole was the most preferred PPI by physicians. Acute Gastrtisis was the most common indication for PPI use by 67.8% of physicians. The majority of the physicians instruct their patients to use PPI Before a meal. Physicians knowledge regarding PPIs adverse effects and possible drug-drug interactions were low. It has been recommended that awareness and education programs are needed to update the Physicians knowledge and Practice about PPI use and prescription

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