An evaluation of pharmacists’ knowledge of women’s issues in epilepsy

Abstract

Although epilepsy affects men and women equally, there are many women's health issues in epilepsy. These issues challenge both the woman with epilepsy and the many health care professionals involved in her care. As antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) play a major role in the treatment of epilepsy, pharmacists can serve an important function in the health care of patients with this chronic disease. The goal of this educational project was to assess pharmacists' knowledge of women's issues in epilepsy using the Knowledge of Women's Issues and Epilepsy II (KOWIE-II) questionnaire. In this cross-sectional study we used the valid and reliable KOWIE-II questionnaire, a 10-item questionnaire on women's issues in general as well as pregnancy-related issues. A random sample of pharmacists registered in Ohio either were sent the KOWIE-II questionnaire or completed it prior to a live seminar. Demographic and practice-related data were collected. A percentage correct score was calculated per pharmacist. Our sample consisted of 152 completed surveys. On the questionnaire, the overall average correct score was 60.3%. Nearly 75% of pharmacists had a correct score for the statement inquiring about the drug interaction between enzyme-inducing AEDs and contraceptives. Slightly less than 70% knew of the issue of AED-induced bone loss. Almost one-third (32.2%) of the respondents answered incorrectly when asked about the frequency of sexual dysfunction in women with epilepsy, though an even higher percentage chose "don't know." Most of the pharmacists (69.1%) stated "don't know" when asked about the relationship between hormones and seizure control. More than 70% correctly answered four of the six pregnancy-related statements (folic acid=77.0%, healthy babies=82.9%, continued AED adherence during pregnancy=86.8%, choice of AED during pregnancy=71.1%). Fewer pharmacists knew about vitamin K supplementation (57.9%), and even fewer answered the question on breastfeeding correctly (33.6%). Pharmacists who interacted with the most patients per month had the highest scores. Pharmacists are in a key position to help women with epilepsy, and though there are some areas where pharmacists are generally knowledgeable about women's issues in epilepsy, there are still gaps in knowledge where educational interventions are clearly needed.