Antiemetic Prophylaxis Practice and its Associated Factors Among Health Professionals in Referral Hospitals of North West Ethiopia: Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: The practice of antiemetic prophylaxis within the prevention and management of postoperative nausea and vomiting is important for optimal care of surgical patients. The poor practice of antiemetic prophylaxis on postoperative nausea and vomiting prevention come up with complications, reduce patient satisfaction, and increase overall costs. This study aims to assess practice and associated factors of antiemetic prophylaxis among health professionals in referral hospitals of Northwest Ethiopia. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 health professionals from February 27 to March 30, 2019, in referral Hospitals of Northwest Ethiopia. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the antiemetic prophylaxis practice level of health professionals on postoperative nausea and vomiting prevention and management. The p-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In this study 153 (37.6%) of health professionals were practicing antiemetic prophylaxis. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that anesthetists were (AOR: 8.11; 95% CI: 3.27, 20.08) and physicians (AOR: 4.78; 95% CI: 2.46, 9.30) were more likely to give anti-emetic prophylaxis as compared with midwives. Learning in academic classes (AOR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.46, 10.09), took training (AOR: 6.97; 95% CI: 2.208, 22.021), professionals who said that there are enough anti-emetic drugs available (AOR: 3.10; 95% CI: 1.67, 5.77), professionals, who respond that patients can afford to buy antiemetic’s (AOR: 3.56; 95% CI: 1.23, 10.32) were more likely to give anti-emetic prophylaxis as compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Less than fifty percent (37.6%) of health Professionals practice antiemetic prophylaxis. Type of Profession, learning, training, availability, and cost of antiemetic drugs were factors significantly affecting the practice of antiemetic prophylaxis. HIGHLIGHTS: Less than fifty percent of health Professionals practice antiemetic prophylaxis. The availability, drugs affects the practice of antiemetic prophylaxis. The cost of anti-emetics affects the practice of antiemetic prophylaxis.