The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) is a haematophagous fly that feeds primarily on the forelegs of cattle stimulating a range of avoidance behaviours in confinement situations such as feedlots. From literature it is apparent that stable flies associated with feedlots have a significant impact on cattle especially with regard to economic parameters such as a decline in feed intake and thus a lower average daily gain resulting in less meat production due to irritation caused by painful bites. The abundance of the stable flies was studied in a large commercial feedlot near Heidelberg from October 2012 to September 2013. Two tsetse fly traps, namely the NZI and the Vavoua fly traps, were used and evaluated in determining the seasonal abundance of the stable flies. The tsetse traps proved to be most effective for sampling stable flies compared to other designs. The NZI and Vavoua tsetse type trap were compared and although there were no significant difference the NZI trap proved to be more reliable and user friendly for this study. Stable flies were more abundant from late December with a peak in numbers late in January through February and became less abundant from early March. Minimum to no fly abundance occurred in the winter months from May to June 2013. The data indicated a strong edge effect for the stable flies, the flies were more abundant in pens and corridors that were surrounded by vegetation, manure run off and holding ponds. The numbers collected in traps were correlated with stable fly counts on the cattle to be used in calculating a future threshold in chemical control. Preliminary observations on the influence of temperature, wind speed and rainfall were also made. This research will form part of a larger project to determine an integrated fly management program for the feedlot. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) is a haematophagous fly that feeds primarily on the forelegs of cattle stimulating a range of avoidance behaviours in confinement situations such as feedlots. From literature it is apparent that stable flies associated with feedlots have a significant impact on cattle especially with regard to economic parameters such as a decline in feed intake and thus a lower average daily gain resulting in less meat production due to irritation caused by painful bites. The abundance of the stable flies was studied in a large commercial feedlot near Heidelberg from October 2012 to September 2013. Two tsetse fly traps, namely the NZI and the Vavoua fly traps, were used and evaluated in determining the seasonal abundance of the stable flies. The tsetse traps proved to be most effective for sampling stable flies compared to other designs. The NZI and Vavoua tsetse type trap were compared and although there were no significant difference the NZI trap proved to be more reliable and user friendly for this study. Stable flies were more abundant from late December with a peak in numbers late in January through February and became less abundant from early March. Minimum to no fly abundance occurred in the winter months from May to June 2013. The data indicated a strong edge effect for the stable flies, the flies were more abundant in pens and corridors that were surrounded by vegetation, manure run off and holding ponds. The numbers collected in traps were correlated with stable fly counts on the cattle to be used in calculating a future threshold in chemical control. Preliminary observations on the influence of temperature, wind speed and rainfall were also made. This research will form part of a larger project to determine an integrated fly management program for the feedlot. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Many patients suffer from dermatological diseases throughout the world. Literature about this problem is emphasizing that it is getting worse. Factors such as poor hygiene, poverty and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, have increased the prevalence of dermatological diseases in developing countries such as Namibia. Understanding the different dermatological diseases and studying their prevalence will aid in ensuring patients better quality of life. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and medicinal treatment patterns of dermatological diseases in the private healthcare sector of Namibia, with special reference to Windhoek. The research methodology was divided into two sections, namely a literature analysis and an empirical study. The literature analysis has been done to ensure knowledge about dermatological conditions before the empirical study was started. The empirical study was divided into two phases and data were collected from the community pharmacy environment (Phase 1) and a dermatologist (Phase 2). A total number of 507 patients participated in this study. In the community pharmacy environment, data were gathered from dermatological prescriptions of general practitioners (Phase 1A) and from pharmacist-initiated therapy prescriptions (Phase 1B). The data collected from the dermatologist (Phase 2), were collected from patients files at the dermatologist‘s practise. Phase 1A indicated that urticaria (n=36) had the highest prevalence followed by eczema (n=28) and contact dermatitis (n=28). 49% of the patients that participated in this phase were seeking treatment for the same condition the second time. In Phase 1B, contact dermatitis (n=15) showed the highest prevalence with eczema (n=14) and urticaria (n=8) second and third respectively. 77% of the patients participating in this phase of the research study did not have a family history of the same dermatological diseases. Phase 2 indicated that the highest prevalence of dermatological diseases was acne vulgaris (n=30) and melasma (n=19). The treatment duration that occurred most often in this phase was 180 days. Over all, the data indicated that eczema was the dermatological disease with the highest incidence of 11.2% (n=57). Other diseases that played a significant part were acne vulgaris (10.5%), urticaria (9.0%), contact dermatitis (8.6%) and melasma (7.1%). Rare dermatological diseases such as Kaposi sarcoma showed relatively high prevalence (n=9). It was concluded that this could be due to the fact that the dermatologist consulted, had been the only dermatologist claiming directly from the government medical aid, and that most of the patients diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma during this research study were government employees. Many dermatological diseases were not specifically defined or diagnosed, but still treated with topical corticosteroids which may suggest that the term eczema is undefined and easily used by different healthcare practitioners for dry-skin related conditions. It is concluded in this research study that the three most prevalent dermatological diseases in the private healthcare sector of Namibia are eczema, acne vulgaris and urticaria. These conditions are not considered to be life-threatening, but they do have a significant effect on the quality of life of patients. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Many patients suffer from dermatological diseases throughout the world. Literature about this problem is emphasizing that it is getting worse. Factors such as poor hygiene, poverty and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, have increased the prevalence of dermatological diseases in developing countries such as Namibia. Understanding the different dermatological diseases and studying their prevalence will aid in ensuring patients better quality of life. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and medicinal treatment patterns of dermatological diseases in the private healthcare sector of Namibia, with special reference to Windhoek. The research methodology was divided into two sections, namely a literature analysis and an empirical study. The literature analysis has been done to ensure knowledge about dermatological conditions before the empirical study was started. The empirical study was divided into two phases and data were collected from the community pharmacy environment (Phase 1) and a dermatologist (Phase 2). A total number of 507 patients participated in this study. In the community pharmacy environment, data were gathered from dermatological prescriptions of general practitioners (Phase 1A) and from pharmacist-initiated therapy prescriptions (Phase 1B). The data collected from the dermatologist (Phase 2), were collected from patients files at the dermatologist‘s practise. Phase 1A indicated that urticaria (n=36) had the highest prevalence followed by eczema (n=28) and contact dermatitis (n=28). 49% of the patients that participated in this phase were seeking treatment for the same condition the second time. In Phase 1B, contact dermatitis (n=15) showed the highest prevalence with eczema (n=14) and urticaria (n=8) second and third respectively. 77% of the patients participating in this phase of the research study did not have a family history of the same dermatological diseases. Phase 2 indicated that the highest prevalence of dermatological diseases was acne vulgaris (n=30) and melasma (n=19). The treatment duration that occurred most often in this phase was 180 days. Over all, the data indicated that eczema was the dermatological disease with the highest incidence of 11.2% (n=57). Other diseases that played a significant part were acne vulgaris (10.5%), urticaria (9.0%), contact dermatitis (8.6%) and melasma (7.1%). Rare dermatological diseases such as Kaposi sarcoma showed relatively high prevalence (n=9). It was concluded that this could be due to the fact that the dermatologist consulted, had been the only dermatologist claiming directly from the government medical aid, and that most of the patients diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma during this research study were government employees. Many dermatological diseases were not specifically defined or diagnosed, but still treated with topical corticosteroids which may suggest that the term eczema is undefined and easily used by different healthcare practitioners for dry-skin related conditions. It is concluded in this research study that the three most prevalent dermatological diseases in the private healthcare sector of Namibia are eczema, acne vulgaris and urticaria. These conditions are not considered to be life-threatening, but they do have a significant effect on the quality of life of patients. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children worldwide. The prescribing patterns of the medication used to treat asthma in South Africa, as well as the prevalence of paediatric asthma are of interest and need to be investigated. A drug utilisation review was performed to determine the prevalence of asthma, and in particular paediatric asthma in a section of the private health care sector of South Africa. The prescribing patterns of asthma medication were investigated according to different demographic factors, such as gender, geographical area and prescriber type. Data from a medical claims database were extracted and processed to reveal the different prescribing patterns from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008. Medication from the MIMS® pharmacological groups 10.2 and 10.4 were used as a basis for asthma medication. Patients had to use at least one medicine item from one of these groups to be included in the study. The prevalence of asthma in the general population showed an increase from 2005 to 2008. The prevalence of asthma as a part of the total database according to the number of patients increased from 23.01% in 2005 (n=347342) to 24.72% in 2008 (n=240854), although the number of patients on the total database decreased from 2005 to 2008. When investigating the number of prescriptions that were dispensed during 2008, asthma prescriptions comprised 7.16% (n=484983) of all prescriptions and the number of asthma medicine items that were dispensed made up 3.72% (n=611139) of the total number of medicine items dispensed in 2008. Paediatric asthma was divided into two age groups for the purpose of this study namely, 0 - 4 years of age and older than 4 years, but younger or equal to 11 years of age ( >4 - 11 years), according to a previous study done by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The results from the data confirmed that the prevalence of asthma was higher in the younger age group. The number of patients using asthma medication in the 0 - 4 years age group comprised 44.40% (n=11306) of the total number of patients in this age group on the database in 2008, compared to 32.84% (n=28347) in the >4 - 11 years age group. Asthma was more common among male patients, whether they were included in the paediatric groups or not. The geographical distribution of paediatric asthma seemed to be connected to the provinces without coastlines and different mining facilities. The combination of asthma medication with antibiotics and systemic corticosteroids were investigated and it was concluded that antibiotics that were used for respiratory tract infections were prescribed the most frequently to asthma patients. The refill–adherence rates of patients with asthma were not satisfactory when considering that asthma is a chronic disease. The average adherence rate for all the asthma products that were brought into account when calculating the refill–adherence rate was 60.95%. A rate above 90% indicates optimal patient adherence. In conclusion this study determined that asthma has a significant prevalence among children in South Africa. The prescribing patterns for the different medication used in the treatment of asthma were investigated and recommendations for further research in this field of study were made. / Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

There is widespread concern for the mental well–being of adolescents. Various studies have indicated the deleterious consequences of bullying for both victims and bullies, implying the serious need for interventions to lower the incidence of bullying in schools. Descriptive data must inform the development of intervention programmes. The present study aimed to provide such data and to add to existing research on bullying in South African schools. This quantitative study investigated bullying behaviour in a parallel–medium, multi–racial high school in the North–West Province. The specific research aims were to examine the total incidence of bullying experiences and, specifically, frequency levels of being bullied according to age group and race group. Furthermore, gender differences in frequency levels of individual and group bullying, as well as gender–specific frequency levels of use of direct and indirect bullying tactics were examined. A one–shot cross–sectional survey design was employed. A randomly selected representative sample of 635 learners, comprising 274 boys and 361 girls, completed a self–report survey instrument, the Peer Relation Questionnaire (Neser, Ladikos and Prinsloo 2004), with regard to their bullying experiences. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to calculate frequencies, cross–tabulations and chi–square statistical tests. Results indicated that 52% of participants reported to have been the victims of bullying. A significant difference in distribution of bullying frequency was indicated for race groups, but not for age groups. Black and coloured learners in this school experienced a higher frequency of bullying than white learners, which indicates that racial dynamics has an important impact on bullying behaviour in this school. Bullying frequency in this high school is not significantly lower in senior secondary learners (learners 16 years and older) than in junior secondary learners (learners between 13 and 15 years), as was predicted by literature. In terms of gender differences, boys in this school were found to bully significantly more than girls. Furthermore, group bullying was found to be more prevalent than individual bullying in both genders. In this school boys and surprisingly girls too were shown to favour direct verbal bullying tactics (unpleasant teasing) and direct physical bullying tactics (hitting, kicking or pushing). This finding is a cause for concern as it is contradicted by literature which describes girls as preferring indirect bullying tactics (isolating the victim or threatening harm) to direct physical tactics, indicating that girls in this school use higher levels of physical aggression in bullying than the findings of other literature. The found high incidence levels of being bullied and bullying behaviour trends indicate a need for an anti–bullying intervention in this school, which includes learners of all age and race groups. The study's findings imply that such an intervention should include a focus on bullying of black and coloured learners and address racial dynamics in bullying. Furthermore intervention should address group and individual bullying, as well as the use of direct bullying tactics among both boys and girls, particularly direct physical tactics. Altough these findings are not generalisable to other South African schools, the need for further South African research to investigate unique trends in bullying behaviour is stressed. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children worldwide. The prescribing patterns of the medication used to treat asthma in South Africa, as well as the prevalence of paediatric asthma are of interest and need to be investigated. A drug utilisation review was performed to determine the prevalence of asthma, and in particular paediatric asthma in a section of the private health care sector of South Africa. The prescribing patterns of asthma medication were investigated according to different demographic factors, such as gender, geographical area and prescriber type. Data from a medical claims database were extracted and processed to reveal the different prescribing patterns from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008. Medication from the MIMS® pharmacological groups 10.2 and 10.4 were used as a basis for asthma medication. Patients had to use at least one medicine item from one of these groups to be included in the study. The prevalence of asthma in the general population showed an increase from 2005 to 2008. The prevalence of asthma as a part of the total database according to the number of patients increased from 23.01% in 2005 (n=347342) to 24.72% in 2008 (n=240854), although the number of patients on the total database decreased from 2005 to 2008. When investigating the number of prescriptions that were dispensed during 2008, asthma prescriptions comprised 7.16% (n=484983) of all prescriptions and the number of asthma medicine items that were dispensed made up 3.72% (n=611139) of the total number of medicine items dispensed in 2008. Paediatric asthma was divided into two age groups for the purpose of this study namely, 0 - 4 years of age and older than 4 years, but younger or equal to 11 years of age ( >4 - 11 years), according to a previous study done by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The results from the data confirmed that the prevalence of asthma was higher in the younger age group. The number of patients using asthma medication in the 0 - 4 years age group comprised 44.40% (n=11306) of the total number of patients in this age group on the database in 2008, compared to 32.84% (n=28347) in the >4 - 11 years age group. Asthma was more common among male patients, whether they were included in the paediatric groups or not. The geographical distribution of paediatric asthma seemed to be connected to the provinces without coastlines and different mining facilities. The combination of asthma medication with antibiotics and systemic corticosteroids were investigated and it was concluded that antibiotics that were used for respiratory tract infections were prescribed the most frequently to asthma patients. The refill–adherence rates of patients with asthma were not satisfactory when considering that asthma is a chronic disease. The average adherence rate for all the asthma products that were brought into account when calculating the refill–adherence rate was 60.95%. A rate above 90% indicates optimal patient adherence. In conclusion this study determined that asthma has a significant prevalence among children in South Africa. The prescribing patterns for the different medication used in the treatment of asthma were investigated and recommendations for further research in this field of study were made. / Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

There is widespread concern for the mental well–being of adolescents. Various studies have indicated the deleterious consequences of bullying for both victims and bullies, implying the serious need for interventions to lower the incidence of bullying in schools. Descriptive data must inform the development of intervention programmes. The present study aimed to provide such data and to add to existing research on bullying in South African schools. This quantitative study investigated bullying behaviour in a parallel–medium, multi–racial high school in the North–West Province. The specific research aims were to examine the total incidence of bullying experiences and, specifically, frequency levels of being bullied according to age group and race group. Furthermore, gender differences in frequency levels of individual and group bullying, as well as gender–specific frequency levels of use of direct and indirect bullying tactics were examined. A one–shot cross–sectional survey design was employed. A randomly selected representative sample of 635 learners, comprising 274 boys and 361 girls, completed a self–report survey instrument, the Peer Relation Questionnaire (Neser, Ladikos and Prinsloo 2004), with regard to their bullying experiences. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to calculate frequencies, cross–tabulations and chi–square statistical tests. Results indicated that 52% of participants reported to have been the victims of bullying. A significant difference in distribution of bullying frequency was indicated for race groups, but not for age groups. Black and coloured learners in this school experienced a higher frequency of bullying than white learners, which indicates that racial dynamics has an important impact on bullying behaviour in this school. Bullying frequency in this high school is not significantly lower in senior secondary learners (learners 16 years and older) than in junior secondary learners (learners between 13 and 15 years), as was predicted by literature. In terms of gender differences, boys in this school were found to bully significantly more than girls. Furthermore, group bullying was found to be more prevalent than individual bullying in both genders. In this school boys and surprisingly girls too were shown to favour direct verbal bullying tactics (unpleasant teasing) and direct physical bullying tactics (hitting, kicking or pushing). This finding is a cause for concern as it is contradicted by literature which describes girls as preferring indirect bullying tactics (isolating the victim or threatening harm) to direct physical tactics, indicating that girls in this school use higher levels of physical aggression in bullying than the findings of other literature. The found high incidence levels of being bullied and bullying behaviour trends indicate a need for an anti–bullying intervention in this school, which includes learners of all age and race groups. The study's findings imply that such an intervention should include a focus on bullying of black and coloured learners and address racial dynamics in bullying. Furthermore intervention should address group and individual bullying, as well as the use of direct bullying tactics among both boys and girls, particularly direct physical tactics. Altough these findings are not generalisable to other South African schools, the need for further South African research to investigate unique trends in bullying behaviour is stressed. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of the study was to evaluate type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) medicine management in Government Clinics in Maseru, Lesotho. A two-dimensional research method was employed, consisting of a literature review and an empirical investigation. The objective of the literature review was to provide information on the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and clinical management of DM. The empirical investigation consisted of a descriptive pharmacoepidemiological study, in which data for analysis was collected retrospectively from patients‘ medical records (―bukanas‖) at dispensing points, a using data collection tool. The selected study sites were Domiciliary Health Center, Mabote, Likotsi, and Qoaling filter clinics in Maseru district of Lesotho. Data on costs of antidiabetic agents was collected from purchase invoices provided by the pharmacy department of Domiciliary Health Center. Results showed that the overall ratio of males to females was 1.3. There were no statistical difference in DM prevalence between males and females in the different clinics (p = 0.48). The mean age of males and females was 57.5 ± 14.2 years and 58.6 ± 11.3 years, respectively (Cohen‘s d = 0.07). DM was more prevalent in patients 59 to 69 years for both males and females, with the exception of Mabote and Qoaling filter clinics, where DM was more prevalent in patients 49 to 59 years. These differences in prevalence were not statically significant. Overall, 20% (n = 69) of the study sample had DM alone, while 80.0% of patients had DM concurrently with hypertension. The odds ratio implicated that women were 1.7 times more likely to have hypertension concurrently with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The mean blood glucose level at 95% confidence interval for females and males were 10.1 ± 5.9 mmol/L (95% CI: 10.1–11.7) and 10.9 ± 6.2 mmol/L (95% CI: 11.0–14.0) respectively. The difference in the mean blood glucose levels of males vs. females was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). In both males and females there were outliers as high as 33.3 mmol/L. Metformin 850 mg given three times, metformin 500 mg three times a day, glibenclamide 10 mg daily and glibenclamide 5 mg twice daily are oral hypoglycaemic agents that were first, second, third and fourth choice treatment of DM at all four study sites at a frequency of 54.2% (n = 160), 27.7% (n = 82), 4% (n = 12) and 2.7% (n = 27), respectively. Actraphane® 20 units in the morning and 10 units in the evening was prescribed at a frequency of 11.6% (n = 432) in comparison to other Actraphane®-containing regimens. The frequencies of prescribing metformin and Actraphane® as combination therapies represented 10.6% (n = 40), 7.1% (n = 27), and 6.6% (n = 25), respectively, for Actraphane® 20 units in the morning and 10 units in the evening, plus metformin 500 mg three times per day; Actraphane® 20 units in the morning and 10 units in the evening plus metformin 850 mg three times per day; and Actraphane® 30 units in the morning and 15 units in the evening plus metformin 850 mg three times per day. The combination therapy of metformin and glibenclamide were prescribed at frequencies of 24.6% (n = 172), 22.9% (n = 160), and 13.4% (n = 94) respectively for glibenclamide 10 mg daily plus metformin 850 mg three times per day, glibenclamide 5 mg daily plus metformin 850 mg three times per day, and glibenclamide 5 mg once a day plus metformin 500 mg three times per day as first, second and third choice treatments at all study sites. The total cost incurred for all the oral drugs prescribed alone within different regimens was M75.6 with the weighted average cost per patient of M0.81 ± 2.06 per day compared to the cost of Actraphane® which was M40 660.52 per month at a weighted average daily cost of M21.43 ± 6.23 per patient. The overall cost of Actraphane® and metformin combination therapy amounted to M50 676.50, at an average cost per patient of M21.77 ± 6.80 per day. The cost of combination therapy consisting of metformin and glibenclamide amounted to M377.10, at a weighted average cost amounting to M0.49 ± 0.16 per patient, per day. Based on the results of this study some conclusions were reached on the prevalence of DM, prescribing patterns and the cost of antidiabetic agents. Recommendations pertaining to the clinics and further research were made. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of the study was to evaluate type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) medicine management in Government Clinics in Maseru, Lesotho. A two-dimensional research method was employed, consisting of a literature review and an empirical investigation. The objective of the literature review was to provide information on the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and clinical management of DM. The empirical investigation consisted of a descriptive pharmacoepidemiological study, in which data for analysis was collected retrospectively from patients‘ medical records (―bukanas‖) at dispensing points, a using data collection tool. The selected study sites were Domiciliary Health Center, Mabote, Likotsi, and Qoaling filter clinics in Maseru district of Lesotho. Data on costs of antidiabetic agents was collected from purchase invoices provided by the pharmacy department of Domiciliary Health Center. Results showed that the overall ratio of males to females was 1.3. There were no statistical difference in DM prevalence between males and females in the different clinics (p = 0.48). The mean age of males and females was 57.5 ± 14.2 years and 58.6 ± 11.3 years, respectively (Cohen‘s d = 0.07). DM was more prevalent in patients 59 to 69 years for both males and females, with the exception of Mabote and Qoaling filter clinics, where DM was more prevalent in patients 49 to 59 years. These differences in prevalence were not statically significant. Overall, 20% (n = 69) of the study sample had DM alone, while 80.0% of patients had DM concurrently with hypertension. The odds ratio implicated that women were 1.7 times more likely to have hypertension concurrently with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The mean blood glucose level at 95% confidence interval for females and males were 10.1 ± 5.9 mmol/L (95% CI: 10.1–11.7) and 10.9 ± 6.2 mmol/L (95% CI: 11.0–14.0) respectively. The difference in the mean blood glucose levels of males vs. females was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). In both males and females there were outliers as high as 33.3 mmol/L. Metformin 850 mg given three times, metformin 500 mg three times a day, glibenclamide 10 mg daily and glibenclamide 5 mg twice daily are oral hypoglycaemic agents that were first, second, third and fourth choice treatment of DM at all four study sites at a frequency of 54.2% (n = 160), 27.7% (n = 82), 4% (n = 12) and 2.7% (n = 27), respectively. Actraphane® 20 units in the morning and 10 units in the evening was prescribed at a frequency of 11.6% (n = 432) in comparison to other Actraphane®-containing regimens. The frequencies of prescribing metformin and Actraphane® as combination therapies represented 10.6% (n = 40), 7.1% (n = 27), and 6.6% (n = 25), respectively, for Actraphane® 20 units in the morning and 10 units in the evening, plus metformin 500 mg three times per day; Actraphane® 20 units in the morning and 10 units in the evening plus metformin 850 mg three times per day; and Actraphane® 30 units in the morning and 15 units in the evening plus metformin 850 mg three times per day. The combination therapy of metformin and glibenclamide were prescribed at frequencies of 24.6% (n = 172), 22.9% (n = 160), and 13.4% (n = 94) respectively for glibenclamide 10 mg daily plus metformin 850 mg three times per day, glibenclamide 5 mg daily plus metformin 850 mg three times per day, and glibenclamide 5 mg once a day plus metformin 500 mg three times per day as first, second and third choice treatments at all study sites. The total cost incurred for all the oral drugs prescribed alone within different regimens was M75.6 with the weighted average cost per patient of M0.81 ± 2.06 per day compared to the cost of Actraphane® which was M40 660.52 per month at a weighted average daily cost of M21.43 ± 6.23 per patient. The overall cost of Actraphane® and metformin combination therapy amounted to M50 676.50, at an average cost per patient of M21.77 ± 6.80 per day. The cost of combination therapy consisting of metformin and glibenclamide amounted to M377.10, at a weighted average cost amounting to M0.49 ± 0.16 per patient, per day. Based on the results of this study some conclusions were reached on the prevalence of DM, prescribing patterns and the cost of antidiabetic agents. Recommendations pertaining to the clinics and further research were made. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014