Chemotherapy Medication Error and Associated Factors among Cancer Patients Attending Ambulatory Unit of Oncology Ward at Haramaya University Hiwot-Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Harar, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Cancer patients are at a high risk to encounter Medication errors partly due to the inherent toxicity and narrow therapeutic index of anti-cancer medications. Thus, assessing the occurrence of chemotherapy medication errors is crucial to prevent the adverse consequences. There is limited research available on chemotherapy-related medication errors in low- and middle-income countries as well as in Ethiopia. Objective: To assess the prevalence of chemotherapy medication errors and associated factors among cancer patients attending ambulatory unit of oncology ward at Haramaya University Hiwot-Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Harar, Eastern Ethiopia, 2023. Method: A cross-sectional observational study design was conducted at oncology ward of Hiwot-Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Harar, Eastern Ethiopia from 20th January to 20th March, 2023. Medical records was reviewed to acquire information and an observational data abstraction tool was developed to obtain data during preparation and administration of chemotherapy medications. 366 patients were selected by a convenient sampling technique. Data were coded and interred to Epi-InfoTM V:7.2.5.0 and analysed using STATA version 14. Descriptive data were summarized using tables, charts and graphs. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses was done to identify factors associated with medication error. Statistical significance was declared at 95% confidence interval with P-value less than 0.05 Results: Prevalence of chemotherapy medication error was 46.99% (95%CI: 41.86%-52.13%). Patients aged between 41-60 years (AOR=3.93, 95%CI: 1.53-10.22), aged 61 years or older (AOR=4.79, 95%CI: 1.79-12.81), regimens with four injectable chemotherapy drug (AOR= 5.86, 95%CI: 1.77-19.40), follow-up patients (AOR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.23-3.87), carboplatin based (AOR=4.65, 95%CI: 2.17-9.96), and modified chemotherapy regimen (AOR= 2.68, 95%CI: 1.18-6.08) were statistically associated with medication error at a p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: In this study, near to half of cancer patients had one or more chemotherapy related ME. Older age, increased number of IV chemotherapy medications, modified treatment regimens, carboplatin-based regimens, and being follow-up patient, were all strongly linked with chemotherapy medication error. There is necessity of developing and implementing effective strategies to reduce and prevent medication error