Assessment of systemic steroid use and its determinants among admitted patients at Debre Berhan University Hakim Gizawu Teaching Hospital

Rational use of steroids is essential in the long term for improving patient safety. Systemic steroids are important in clinical treatment, but if they are misused, they might have negative effects. This study assessed systemic steroid use and its determinants at Debre Berhan University Hakim Gizawu Teaching Hospital (DBUHGTH), Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 admitted patients at the Medical ward of DBUHGTH. A simple random sampling method was used to recruit study participants. The data was collected from patient medical records and patient interviews using a structured data abstraction and patient interview format. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify the potential predictors of systemic steroid use. Finally, the results were interpreted and presented by tables, charts, and graphs. Most study participants were 142 (67.62%) male. The mean age of the participants was 44.94 (SD, 19.2) years. Prednisolone was mostly utilized drug 130 (42.07%), followed by hydrocortisone 81 (26.21%), beclomethasone 58 (18.77%), and dexamethasone 40 (12.94%). Respiratory disorders 112 (53.34%), meningitis 25 (11.91%), and rheumatoid arthritis 19 (9.05%) were the top three disease conditions in which steroids were used with the highest frequency. Most systemic steroids were administered orally, 130 (42.07%). Short-acting (hydrocortisone, beclomethasone) 139 (44.98%) were mostly used, followed by intermediate-acting steroids (prednisolone) 130 (42.07%). Study participants in the 18-40 age range were approximately 2.5 times more likely than those in the 65 + age group to be using systemic steroids (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI 2.86-6.07). Prednisolone was mostly utilized, followed by hydrocortisone, beclometasone, and dexamethasone drugs in the medical ward of DBUHGTH.