Abstract |
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Introduction: Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic disabling disease and proper treatment can alleviate symptoms and minimize disability. This study aims to describe the prescribing practice of the pharmacological treatment of OCD patients at the main psychiatry hospitals in Khartoum state, Sudan. Method: It was a cross-sectional hospital-based study totally covers drug prescribers at decided hospitals using a structured 21-item-questionnaire regarding their practice. Descriptive analysis was applied using mean and percent, and Fisher’s exact test was carried out on the relationships between variables. Results: Eighty-one prescribers participated in the study (response rate= 89%), of them, 44% were males. Sixty prescribers (74%) reported choosing medications according to effectiveness, 8 (9.9%) according to cost, side effects where the concern of 8.6%, while 7.4% choose according to their ‘own experience’. The first line preference in OCD treatment for 72 (89%) prescribers was selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) andwas tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) for other 9 (11%). Thirty- eight (46.9%) of participants preferred Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alone to treat mild OCD, whereas 33 (40.7%) preferred the combination of CBT with pharmacological treatment.There was no significant association between the preferred group of medication and physician factors included in the study. All prescribers haven’t seen any local guidelines for OCD treatment. Conclusion: This study has shed much light on prescribing practices in the treatment of OCD at the main psychiatric hospitals in Khartoum. Although prescribing practice was generally consistent with international treatment guidelines, establishing local guidelines for OCD treatment is highly recommended. |