Medication Management Situations in Schools at Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the situation of drug management in schools in Chiang Rai Province. Methods: This quantitative research collected data using postal questionnaires developed by the researchers according to the six building blocks concept of the World Health Organization and the Management Sciences of Health’s concept on drug system. The study collected data from 566 elementary and secondary schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission in Chiang Rai between July and September 2021.The respondents were teachers responsible for first aid. Results: 272 schools responded to the questionnaire (48.06%) with 234 from primary schools and 38 from secondary schools. 90.44% of schools had a first aid room. 73.48% of teachers responsible for first aid had no training in drug use in the past one year. The top three drug selection criteria were indication, safety and efficacy. Most of the medicines in the first aid room were household drugs. However, household drugs were found in 35 schools (12.87%). 82.19% of the sources of drug were drugstores. 68.01% of schools did not have a manual for dispensing drugs. 89.34% of teachers responsible for first aid then searched for drug information from labels and leaflets. Routines in providing first aid included asking for names, drug allergies, and symptoms, drug dispensing, and follow up along with recording information on the use of the first aid room (85% of schools). Most of the referrals were sent to sub-district health promoting hospitals. As for the drug policy, there was no clear policy from the government. Conclusion: Drug management in schools needs improvement in many aspects, including manpower, clear policy, procurement of drugs, determination of drug lists and establishment of guidelines for providing first aid, etc. The effort requires cooperation among all stakeholders in the education sector and public health agencies, including provincial public health offices, hospitals and sub-district health promoting hospitals to develop a drug management model to have a safe and rational use of drugs for students.