Drug Information Services Utilization In Nigeria From 1980-2020: A Narrative Review Of Related Studies

Authors

  • Ijeoma Okoye Unizik
  • Brian Ogbonna UNIZIK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54117/jcbr.v2i4.13

Keywords:

Drug information service, Documentation, Utilization, Quality control

Abstract

The functioning and utilization of Drug Information Services (DIS) are reviewed in other climes with several studies on the subject matter and measures are taken for quality control of the information output from the Drug Information Centers (DICs). Although some studies assessed the drug information (DI) needs of healthcare professionals and their attitude towards DIS, there still exists the need to provide an overview of the state and extent of DIS and related studies in Nigeria as a means of creating awareness and promoting possible interventional measures. This study presented an overview of Drug Information Services and utilization in Nigeria and generated information for intervention and policy making.  This study reviewed the state of drug information services and their utilization in Nigeria using narrative review of relevant literature. The literature search was conducted on computerized databases. Search terms were used singly, in combination,and truncation to select and synthesize articles. The studies selected included those written in the English Language, carried out in Nigeria, with clear study design and properly stated year of publication which fell within the stated years of 1980 to 2020. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage. The data was also subjected to comparative assessment using the Oxford and Scottish Benchmarks for Study Standard.  Selection of articles gave rise to 41 articles that met the criteria. They were used for the study. The highest number of articles were cited in the Southwest (26.83%). This was followed by the southeast (24.39%). While the north-central had the highest number (12.20%)of articles cited in the north, the least number of articles was found in the north-east (2.44%). There were no articles on DIS and its utilization cited before the year 2000(0%) while the highest number of studies (90.24%) were carried out between 2011 and 2020. The studies fell within the lower half of the Oxford and Scottish benchmarks for the hierarchy of studies and study standards. Drug information Services and utilization in Nigeria are still at their primary stage. Most of the studies carried out were in the south-west and south-east. The leading study design carried out were cross-sectional descriptive surveys which fell within the lower half of two standard benchmarks (Oxford and Scottish) for the hierarchy of studies.

Author Biographies

Ijeoma Okoye, Unizik

Sr.  Mary-Ann is a Religious Sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She is a Pharmacist and presently pursuing her Masters in Clinical Pharmacy in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State.

Brian Ogbonna, UNIZIK

Dr. Brian is the Head of Department of the Clinincal Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management Department of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State. He is a renowned Clinical Pharmacist, a dedicated lecturer and an outstanding man of knowledge and a diligent motivator. 

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Published

2022-08-31

How to Cite

Okoye, I., & Onyebuchi, O. (2022). Drug Information Services Utilization In Nigeria From 1980-2020: A Narrative Review Of Related Studies. Journal of Current Biomedical Research, 2(4, July-August), 380–404. https://doi.org/10.54117/jcbr.v2i4.13