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Reducing use of injections through interactional group discussions: A randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Objective

To determine whether “interactional group discussions” could reduce prescriptions of injections by physicians.

Study design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Rural public health care facilities, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India.

Subjects

72 medical officers, 36 each in intervention and control groups.

Intervention

Interactional group discussions.

Outcome measure

Proportion of prescriptions including at least one injection.

Results

In the intervention group, 249 of 1,080 prescriptions (23%) included at least one injection compared with 79 of 1,080 prescriptions (7%) before and after the intervention, respectively. (RR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.25–0.40). In the control group, 231 of 1,080 prescriptions (21%) included at least one injection before the intervention vs 178 of 1,080 prescriptions (16%) after the intervention (RR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65–0.92).

Conclusion

Interactional group discussions reduce prescription of injections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP), National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Chennai, India

    Rama Bhunia, R. Ramkrishnan & M. Murhekar

  2. WHO India country office, New Delhi, India

    Y. Hutin

  3. Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Calcutta, West Bengal, India

    P. K. Ghosh

  4. District Tuberculosis Centre, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

    S. Dey

  5. 60A/1R, Dr S C Banerjee Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700 010, India

    Rama Bhunia

Authors
  1. Rama Bhunia
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  2. Y. Hutin
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  3. R. Ramkrishnan
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  4. P. K. Ghosh
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  5. S. Dey
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  6. M. Murhekar
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Bhunia, R., Hutin, Y., Ramkrishnan, R. et al. Reducing use of injections through interactional group discussions: A randomized controlled trial . Indian Pediatr 47, 409–414 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-010-0076-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-010-0076-4

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