INVESTIGATE THE PREFERENCE FOR INTRAVENOUS MEDICATION OVER ORAL MEDICATION: ANANALYSIS OF PATIENT’S ATTITUDE                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

BACKGROUND:

Administrating medication in the most preferred form is essential for enhancing patient compliance and optimizing treatment outcomes, especially for minor ailments. The choice between intravenous (IV) administration and oral pill consumption for treating minor illnesses is a significant yet understudied aspect of patient preferences in healthcare. Understanding the factors driving this choice is essential for providing patient-centered care and optimizing medical practices. This research addresses this gap by investigating the reasons behind individuals’ preferences for IV administration over oral pills and the implications for healthcare decision-making.

INTRODUCTION:
In the realm of medical treatment, the mode of administration can significantly impact patients’ experiences and perceptions of healthcare. Intravenous (IV) administration and oral pill consumption represent two distinct avenues for delivering medical interventions, each with its unique attributes and implications. IV administration offers rapid drug delivery and precise dosing, often used in acute situations, while oral pills provide convenience and familiarity.

OBJECTIVES:

Our objectives were to investigate Proclivity for intravenous (IV) or IM of drugs over oral administration and to investigate the knowledge of risks, and attitudes towards injections among Patients.

METHODOLOGY:

It was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted in 3 tertiary care hospitals- Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Khyber Teaching Hospital(KTH), and Northwest General Hospital(NWGH) in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. We collected data from 384 Participants. The subjects were selected from three hospitals of the Peshawar, which include 128 from HMC, 128 from KTH and 128 from northwest General Hospital. Data was collected where non-probability convenient sampling tec.

RESULT:

The study’s analysis of medication prescription patterns revealed diverse preferences among healthcare practitioners for treating minor ailments. A combination of oral pills and injectable medication was prescribed for a substantial portion (57.6%) of patients, while standalone prescriptions included 29.7% for oral pills and 12.8% for injections. Fever was the predominant reason for seeking medical care (31.5%), followed by various illnesses (27.3%), headache and migraine (11.2%), allergy (10.4%), common cold and flu (7.5%), sore throat (5.2%), diarrhea (3.65%), and constipation (3.1%). Medication preferences were influenced by factors such as rapid effect (36.2%), effectiveness (29.7%), convenience (22.9%), cost (7.3%), and compliance (3.9%). A significant percentage (59.4%) self-administered injections without guidance. Interestingly, a substantial proportion (67.4%) found injectable medication more convenient, while 32.6% did not share this view. Preferences shifted when oral pills were equally effective; 63.5% preferred pills, while 36.5% still favored injections. Concerns about injection complications were expressed by 51.6%, while 69.3% were confident in injections. A majority (69.8%) were aware of injection risks, though 30.2% lacked awareness. Living area, marital status and employment did not show significant influences on preferences.

CONCLUSION:

In summary, this comprehensive study investigates the factors driving preferences for injectable medications over oral pills in the treatment of minor diseases. Despite a well-informed understanding of injection risks, a considerable portion of individuals favor intravenous treatments, mainly due to their perceived superior outcomes such as rapid onset, effectiveness, and convenience. The analysis of medication prescription patterns reveals a versatile approach, often combining oral pills and injectables to meet patient needs. Concerns and confidence about injection-based treatments are balanced, with varying attitudes among participants. The study underscores the influence of external sources and personal experiences on perceptions of injection risks. Neither living areas, marital status nor employment exhibit any significant impact. Overall, the findings shed light on the intricate interplay of factors shaping medication choices and highlight the complexities of patient preferences in healthcare decisions.