Drug-Related Problems and associated factors among hospitalized pediatric patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital

Introduction Drug-related problem is any event involving drug therapy that interferes with a patient’s desired clinical outcome. Hospitalized pediatric patients are particularly prone to drugrelated problems. Thus, this study aimed to assess drug-related problems and associated factors among patients admitted to the pediatric ward of the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pediatric patients admitted to the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital from May 1, to July 30, 2021. A Simple random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed for each variable for the corresponding P-value to see the strength of association. Those variables which have a P-value of < 0.25 in Bivariable analysis were entered in Multivariable analysis to determine factors associated with drug related problems. Results A total of 180 drug-related problems were identified in 145 participants with an overall prevalence of 40.2% [95% CI (35.5-45.4)]. Dose too low (35.56%), needs additional drug (28.89%) and dose too high (21%) were the commonest type of drug-related problems identified. The most important interventions made were dose adjustment (52%) and the addition of drugs (30%). The presence of comorbidity [AOR = 3.32, 95% CI (1.88-5.88)], polypharmacy [AOR = 4.22, 95% CI (2.21-8.10)], and more than 6 days stay in the hospital [AOR =7.59, 95% CI (3.76-15.33)] were independent predictors for the occurrence of drug-related problems. Conclusion Drug-related problems are common among hospitalized pediatrics at the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital. The presence of comorbidity, polypharmacy and prolonged hospital stay were predictors of drug-related problems. Therefore, health care providers have to work in collaboration with clinical pharmacists and give due attention to those patients with comorbidity, polypharmacy and patients who stayed longer days in the hospital.