Factors Associated With Underutilization Of Inhalation Corticosteroids Among Asthmatic Patients Attending Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital

Inhalation Corticosteroids (ICS) is a cornerstone medicine for preventive therapy of persistencernasthma. However, underutilization of ICS is common and little is known about factorsrncontributing to this underutilization. The objective of this study was to assess factors associatedrnwith underutilization of ICS in asthmatic patients. A cross-sectional study involving interviewrnwas conducted among asthmatic patients attending chest clinic of Tikur Anbessa SpecilizedrnHospital (TASH) from 1 May to 31 July, 2014. A total of 131 patients were included in the study.rnIn addition, physicians working at the chest clinic of TASH were also requested to fill out a selfadministeredrnquestionnaire. A multivariate logistic regression was employed to examine thernassociation between variables. Overall, underutilization of ICS from patients’ perspective wasrnfound to be 64.7%. Monthly income, comorbidity and manners of ICS use were found to bernsignificantly associated with underutilization of ICS. Patients’ reported reasons forrnunderutilization of ICS include; unaffordability, using only when symptoms appear,rninaccessibility, side effects and recommendation by physicians. Similarly, physicians reportedrnunaffordability, fear of side effects and dependency, and inaccessibility as reasons forrnunderutilization of ICS. In this setting, prevalence of underutilization of ICS was high, and isrnassociated with unaffordability and inaccessibility of ICS, patients’ poor knowledge of asthmarnand ICS, negative attitude toward ICS, and absence of local guideline for asthma management.rnThus, concerned authorities need to take measures that ensure availability of ICS at an affordablernprice and increase awareness of patients on ICS and asthma.rnKey words: - Inhalation corticosteroids, Underutilization, Asthma

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