Assessment of prevalence, contributory factors and predictors of medication errors among nurses in Southwest Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Medication errors (ME) among nurses remain a major threat to patient safety globally. However, empirical evidence on the burden and determinants of ME in Southwest Nigeria is limited, underscoring the need for context-specific data to guide interventions. This study assessed the prevalence, contributory factors, and predictors of ME among nurses in selected healthcare facilities in Southwest Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to recruit a sample of 300 nurses, from which 252 valid responses were retrieved (84 % response rate). Total enumeration was employed across major clinical units in two purposively selected government-owned health facilities in Lagos State between August and December 2024. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 26. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted at p < 0.05. The prevalence of medication errors was 71.4 %. Common errors included wrong route, wrong drug, and wrong patient. Although most errors caused no harm, a notable proportion resulted in severe harm. Major contributory factors included excessive workload, inadequate staffing, poor nurse-to-patient ratios, insufficient training, communication gaps, and workplace fatigue. All contributory factors showed statistically significant associations with ME (p < 0.001). The nurse’s unit of work emerged as the only significant predictor (β = 0.361, p < 0.001), while work experience demonstrated a borderline protective effect. Medication errors are highly prevalent among nurses in Southwest Nigeria, driven mainly by workload-related and systemic factors. Strengthening unit-specific staffing, improving communication structures, and enhancing continuous professional training are essential to reduce ME and improve patient safety.