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Baseline Assessment of Drug-Drug Interaction Knowledge Among Healthcare Providers in Kibaha, Tanzania

Salim, A.; Allen, M.; Mariki, K.; Pallangyo, T.; Maina, R.; Mzee, F.; Minja, M.; Msovela, K.; Liana, J.

2026-04-16 public and global health
10.64898/2026.04.11.26350082 medRxiv
Show abstract

In the context of global health, the ability of frontline primary health providers to identify potential Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs) is a critical component of patient safety. This is particularly true in settings like Tanzania, where drug dispensers often serve as the primary point of contact for patients. In this study, we establish a baseline for drug decision-making capabilities across multiple cadres of healthcare providers in Kibaha, Tanzania. We specifically distinguish between the ability to recognize safe drug combinations versus harmful ones. The findings reveal a critical asymmetry in provider performance: while professional training improves the recognition of safe combinations, it provides no advantage over lay intuition (and in some cases, a significant disadvantage) in detecting potentially harmful interactions.

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