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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Polypharmacy among children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders in a mental referral hospital in Botswana

Authors: Anthony A. Olashore, Ambrose Rukewe

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

There is a dearth of data on polypharmacy in child and adolescent mental health in Africa, especially Botswana where children and adults are treated in the same facility by general adult psychiatrists. This study was therefore designed to assess the prevalence and the risk factors of psychiatric polypharmacy among children and adolescents treated at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital, Lobatse, Botswana.

Methods

Data involving socio-demographics, diagnosis (using ICD-10 classification) and pharmacological treatment were retrieved from the records of 120 children and adolescents aged below 18 years, between 1 January 2012 and 31 July 2016, who presented with psychiatric disorders. They were analysed with univariate and multivariate models.

Results

The prevalence of psychiatric polypharmacy was 29.2%. Psychiatric co-morbidity (OR = 3.374, 95% CI: 1.177–9.9673) and psychotropic side effects (OR = 5.782, 95% CI: 1.636–20.430) were significantly associated with polypharmacy after regression analysis.

Conclusion

Psychiatric co-morbidity and psychotropic side effects were significant risk factors for polypharmacy in Botswana.
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Metadata
Title
Polypharmacy among children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders in a mental referral hospital in Botswana
Authors
Anthony A. Olashore
Ambrose Rukewe
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1347-6

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