Evaluating the Knowledge, Practice, and Regulatory Situation of Veterinary Experts Regarding Counterfeit Veterinary Medications in the Selected Districts of Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

Background

The intentional and illegal misrepresentation of fake medications involves falsely indicating their source. These fraudulent medications can include products that contain either accurate or incorrect ingredients, lack proper labeling, have insufficient quantities of ingredients, and are packaged with counterfeit packaging. This unlawful activity has led to treatment failures, the development of antibiotic resistance, adverse effects, and even deaths. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, practice, and regulatory status of veterinary drug experts in the central Gondar zone of Ethiopia regarding counterfeit veterinary medications.

Methods

From January 2023 to July 2023, a self-administered structured questionnaire was utilized to conduct a cross-sectional study in Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. The analysis of the data involved the application of descriptive and chi-square tests.

Results

The study revealed that the majority of professionals possessed a work experience ranging from 5 to 9 years (23; 56.1%). Additionally, a total of 25 individuals (61.0%) who participated in the research had not undergone any kind of training. It was observed that a significant proportion of participants (82.9%) possessed knowledge about counterfeit veterinary drugs. Only about 63% and 36% of respondents had high knowledge and good practice concerning veterinary counterfeit drugs, respectively. Only 29.3% of participants have reported practices. Furthermore, a poor regulatory level of coordination was detected (85.4%). The study revealed a significant (χ2 =7.6165; p = 0.022) disparity between the respondents' practice levels and training. Respondents' regulatory levels were also significantly associated (p < 0.05) with their sex (χ2 = 13.34; p = 0.001) and work experience (χ2 = 13.64; p = 0.033). The research findings also revealed a noteworthy correlation between practice and regulatory activity (χ2 = 15.0463; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

The study outlines the necessity of awareness initiatives, with a focus on the significance of veterinary experts' knowledge, practice, and regulatory efforts in addressing the issue of counterfeit veterinary medications.

Adolescent pregnancies in Addis Ababa

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pattern, obstetric outcome, knowledge and practice of modern family planning methods and factors that predispose to pregnancy among adolescent mothers.

DESIGN

A descriptive study comparing findings in adolescent and mature mothers.

SETTING

Two teaching Hospitals in Addis Ababa.

SUBJECTS

Adolescent mothers under 20 years of age and mature mothers aged between 20 and 34 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Age at pregnancy, demographic variables, gestational age, parity, antenatal care attendance, modes of deliveries, birthweight, Apgar scores, condition of babies at birth and knowledge and utilisation of modern contraceptive methods.

RESULTS

Five hundred and sixty nine (74%) of the adolescents were single compared with 226 (29%) of mature mothers (p<0.001, OR 6.83, 95%; CI=5.47-8.45). There were 391 (51%) unemployed adolescents compared with 99 (13%) of mature mothers (p<0.001, OR 7.0, 95% CI 3.06-5.05). Five hundred and twelve (67%) of the adolescent pregnant mothers failed to attend antenatal clinic compared with 344 (45%) of the mature mothers (p<0.001, OR 0.41, 95% CI=0.33, 0.5). Two hundred (26%) of adolescent mothers underwent Caesarean section compared with 82 (11%) of mature mothers (p<0.001, OR 2.44, 95% CI=1.90, 4.56). Two hundred and fifty six (33%) of the adolescent mothers delivered low birthweight babies compared with 106 (14%) of mature mothers (p<0.001, OR 3.12, 95% CI=2.4, 3.99). The one and five minute Apgar scores were less than seven in 301 (39%) babies born to adolescent mothers compared with 20 (27%) babies born to mature mothers (p<0.001, OR 1.73, 95% CI=1.39, 2.14. Five hundred and twelve (67%) of adolescent mothers had no knowledge about modern contraceptive methods compared with 147 (19%) mature mothers (p<0.001, OR 0.12, 95% CI=0.45-0.49).

CONCLUSION

Adolescent pregnancy is common in the city of Addis Ababa. Adolescent pregnancy study revealed low birthweight, high Caesarean section rate and foeto-pelvic disproportion as a consequence of incomplete development of the bony pelvis. Improved education and contraceptive services are needed to reduce the incidence of adolescent pregnancy.