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Clinical Factors Associated With Patterns of Medication Errors Among Pediatric Hospitalized Patients in Northwest

Tilaye Arega Moges1, Fisseha Nigussie Dagnew1, Getachew Yitayew Tarekegn1

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacy Education and Clinical Services Directorate, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, dtu.edu.et.

Biomed Research International
|May 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Medication errors are common in hospitalized children, with polypharmacy, male sex, and longer hospital stays being key risk factors. Implementing computer-based prescribing and clinical pharmacy services can help reduce these errors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric healthcare
  • Medication safety
  • Public health

Background:

  • Medication errors (MEs) pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in pediatric populations.
  • Underreporting of MEs in pediatrics can lead to severe adverse outcomes, including increased healthcare costs and mortality.
  • This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of MEs in hospitalized pediatric patients in Northwest Ethiopia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the magnitude of medication errors among pediatric inpatients.
  • To identify factors associated with medication errors in this population.
  • To inform strategies for improving medication safety in pediatric care.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted over four months.
  • Systematic random sampling was used to select pediatric patients.
  • Data were collected using the Kobo Toolbox and analyzed with STATA, employing logistic regression to identify determinants of MEs.

Main Results:

  • Over half of the 358 pediatric patients (53.63%) experienced at least one medication error.
  • The prescribing stage (40.16%) and administration stage (32.68%) were the most common points for MEs.
  • Polypharmacy (≥5 medications), male sex, and prolonged hospital stay were significantly associated with increased MEs.

Conclusions:

  • Medication errors are highly prevalent in hospitalized pediatric patients.
  • Polypharmacy, male sex, and length of hospital stay are independent predictors of MEs.
  • Routine implementation of computer-based prescribing and clinical pharmacy services is recommended to mitigate MEs.
Abstract

Keywords:
Ethiopiamedication errorsmedication safetypediatric inpatientspolypharmacy

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