A cross-sectional survey on community pharmacists readiness to fight COVID-19 in a developing country: knowledge, attitude, and practice in Lebanon

Rony M Zeenny,Ahmad Dimassi,Marwan Akel,Nathalie Lahoud,Pascale Salameh,Rita Farah,Ghada El Khoury,Hala Sacre,Aline Hajj,Hind Hajj,Souheil Hallit

doi:10.1186/s40545-021-00327-6

Abstract

BackgroundLebanon, a developing Middle Eastern country, was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred amid a severe national economic crisis. Community pharmacists are responsible for dispensing appropriate medications and products in addition to counseling, informing and educating the public, and promoting disease prevention and infection control.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess community pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practice towards the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate behavior changes and safety measures.MethodsAn anonymous and standardized online questionnaire in English was disseminated via social media platforms to Lebanese community pharmacists. The questionnaire consisted of 95 items designed as Likert-scales and multiple-choice questions divided into four different sections: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge-based, attitude-based, and pharmacy practice questions. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the demographic characteristics, and indices were created for knowledge, attitude, and practice by computing the correct answers for each section.ResultsA total of 310 questionnaires were completed. Around 61% have expressed their fear of getting infected with COVID-19 due to occupational exposure. The respondents were able to answer 80–90% of the knowledge-based questions of the survey. A more careful/anxious attitude, but not knowledge, was associated with overall better practice (p = 0.03). Also, respondents stated that they are dispensing protective equipment items such as masks (87%), gloves (60%), and sanitizers (77%) in small quantities due to limited availability.ConclusionOur findings revealed an adequate level of knowledge and good practice towards COVID-19 among Lebanese community pharmacists. Their fears of contracting the virus and compromising the safety of those around them are justified. However, their supply of protective equipment is limited.

Highlights

Lebanon, a developing Middle Eastern country, was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred amid a severe national economic crisis
Our findings revealed an adequate level of knowledge and good practice towards COVID-19 among Lebanese community pharmacists
The questionnaire consisted of 95 items designed as Likert-scales and multiple-choice questions divided into four different sections: socio-demographic characteristics (1–10, including gender, age, location, etc.), knowledge questions (11–28), attitude questions (29–35), pharmacy practice

Summary

Introduction

A developing Middle Eastern country, was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred amid a severe national economic crisis. On December 31, 2019, the world witnessed the emergence of a novel human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 [1]. The 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), was declared a pandemic by the World. Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 [2]. The COVID-19 typically spreads from person-to-person by respiratory droplets produced while coughing or sneezing; transmission occurs through contaminated surfaces. The global impact of COVID-19 has been profound, and the public health threat it represents is the most serious seen in a respiratory virus since the 1918–1919 H1N1 influenza pandemic [5]. Several global interventions were proposed and implemented to flatten the spread curve and avoid overwhelming healthcare facilities. Travel restrictions, closing schools, colleges, bars, and restaurants, banning crowded events, and social distancing were all part of the global lockdown strategy [6]

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