Introduction: Assessing the quality of drug prescriptions in a region is undoubtedly important. However, understanding the factors that may influence this quality would be of more interest.
Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of individual factors on the rationality of the prescription of generic essential medicines (MEG) in the Bogodogo health district, Ouagadougou.
Method: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2016 in 15 Health facilities in the Bogodogo Health District. A mixed methodology was adopted: prescription indicators were calculated on the basis of a sample of 764 medical prescriptions; observation techniques and semi-directed interviews with 15 nurses made it possible to collect qualitative data, which were analyzed thematically. The Chi2 test followed by logistic regression made it possible to assess the relationships between the variables studied at the 5% threshold.
Results: The medical prescription was found to be non-rational in the Bogodogo health district. Seniority, qualification, gender, use of the Diagnosis and Treatment Guide, perception of MEG, and personal experience with MEG influenced the rationality of prescribing.
Conclusion: This study has thus highlighted the influence of certain individual factors on the rationality of MEG prescribing and may make it possible to define new strategies for improving the supply of primary health care.