Attitudes Of Pharmacists Research Articles

Interventions to improve pharmacists’ competency in chronic disease management: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

IntroductionEffective chronic disease management (CDM) is vital for addressing chronic disease challenges. Given the importance of ensuring pharmacists’ competence in CDM, interventions targeting knowledge, skills, and attitudes are essential. Therefore, a comprehensive and up-to-date study is needed to analyze these interventions’ effect and potential development. Categorizing the interventions based on the Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) taxonomy is essential for better informing policymakers. The objectives of this systematic review were to identify interventions to improve pharmacists’ competency in chronic disease management based on the EPOC taxonomy and summarize their effectiveness.MethodsFollowing methods in the Cochrane Handbook, a systematic search was conducted up to April 2024 on MEDLINE and Scopus. The inclusion criteria were an intervention study with a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design published in English, targeting pharmacists, and measuring knowledge, skills, and attitudes in aspects of CDM. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane’s RoB 2 tool for either randomized or cluster-randomized trials. Findings are reported narratively and align with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.ResultsWe included 11 RCT studies that focused on various aspects of CDM among community and hospital pharmacists. Implementation strategies and combined implementation strategies–delivery arrangements interventions were identified. Six implementation strategies interventions consistently yielded effective results, with scores ranging from 0.99 to 9.17 (p < 0.05). However, the other two implementation strategies interventions reported mixed results, with no significant improvements in knowledge or skills. Two implementation strategies-delivery arrangements interventions showed improvements, with score differences ranging from 4.5% (95% CI: 1.6%-7.4%) to 30% (95% CI: 29%-40%). Conversely, one implementation strategies-delivery arrangements intervention showed no significant improvement. The risk of bias assessment revealed varying levels of bias across the studies.ConclusionsImplementation strategies and combined implementation strategies–delivery arrangements interventions improved pharmacists' competency in CDM. Most interventions consistently resulted in significant improvements in pharmacists' knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These findings underscore the potential of tailored, competency-based interventions to improve pharmacist competencies in CDM. Policymakers can use these insights to create guidelines and policies that promote ongoing professional development for pharmacists.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists regarding antibiotic usage and its possible trends

Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists regarding antibiotic usage and its possible trends

Student Pharmacists’ Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacy Education

This study explored student pharmacists' perceptions and attitudes regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in pharmacy practice. Due to AI/ML's promising prospects, understanding students' current awareness, comprehension, and hopes for their use in this field is essential. In April 2024, a Zoom focus group discussion was conducted with 6 student pharmacists using a self-developed interview guide. The guide included questions about the benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations of implementing AI/ML in pharmacy practice and education. The participants' demographic information was collected through a questionnaire. The research team conducted a thematic analysis of the discussion transcript. The results generated by a team member using NVivo were compared with those generated by ChatGPT, and all discrepancies were addressed. Student pharmacists displayed a generally positive attitude toward the implementation of AI/ML in pharmacy practice but lacked knowledge about AI/ML applications. Participants recognized several advantages of AI/ML implementation in pharmacy practice, including improved accuracy and time-saving for pharmacists. Some identified challenges were alert fatigue, AI/ML-generated errors, and the potential obstacle to person-centered care. The study participants expressed their interest in learning about AI/ML and their desire to integrate these technologies into pharmacy education. The demand for integrating AI/ML into pharmacy practice is increasing. Student and professional pharmacists need additional AI/ML training to equip them with knowledge and practical skills. Collaboration between pharmacists, institutions, and AI/ML companies is essential to address barriers and advance AI/ML implementation in the pharmacy field.

Factors Associated with the Practice of Assessing Drug-Drug Interactions Among Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia.

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) occur when two or more drugs are administered concomitantly, changing the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a drug's characteristics. Despite the advances in health technology, DDIs remain a concern to patient safety. This study aimed to (1) assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of hospital and community pharmacists toward DDIs in Saudi Arabia and (2) examine factors associated with their practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire targeting hospital and community pharmacists working in Saudi Arabia. The study questionnaire consisted of five sections: demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice toward DDIs, as well as pharmacy characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of participants as count and percentage. Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between practice variables and other independent variables. A total of 131 pharmacists participated in the study. The majority were males (81.7%), aged 26-35 years (64.9%), and worked in community pharmacies (81.7%). Nearly half of the participants reported optimal practice regarding checking drug interactions before dispensing any drug. Factors associated with the practice of checking DDIs were found to be gender, perceived workload, perceived knowledge, and attitude variables. Regarding the practice of asking patients about their prescription and OTC drugs, there were statistically significant differences between hospital and community pharmacists. Our findings on both community and hospital pharmacists in Saudi Arabia reveal that pharmacists' attitudes and perceived knowledge might influence the practice of pharmacists toward DDIs.

Exploring the role of primary care pharmacists in NHS Lanarkshire following the implementation of the pharmacotherapy hub: a service evaluation

Abstract Introduction The General Medical Service (GMS) contract was produced in Scotland in an attempt to tackle General Practitioner (GP) workforce issues. The pharmacotherapy work stream is part of this and provides a framework for pharmacy teams, dividing services into level 1 (core), level 2 (advanced) and level 3 (specialist).1 A statement by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and the British Medical Association (BMA) discussed the introduction of pharmacotherapy hubs to complete level 1 work for multiple practices, centralising the medicines reconciliation process. Theoretically, this would release pharmacists to carry out clinical and more advanced/specialist services.2 There are currently 8 pharmacotherapy hubs within NHS Lanarkshire (NHSL), incorporating level 2 and 3 services into job plans for General Practice Clinical Pharmacists (GPCPs). No work has been undertaken to explore changes in practice since the implementation of these hubs. The qualitative study explored drivers and motivators for pharmacists in practice, shaping future pharmacotherapy services in NHSL and Scotland. Aim To explore the views and attitudes of primary care pharmacists towards their practice role in NHSL following the implementation of the pharmacotherapy hub. Methods Ethical approval was granted from the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences Ethics Committee (Robert Gordon University). Pharmacists working within the 8 hub localities were invited to participate via email correspondence if they had over 6 months experience in practice pre-hub implementation and then 6 months post-hub implementation. Participants attended a one-to-one interview to share their views towards their practice role since the hub was implemented. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results Twelve pharmacists across six localities participated. The five key themes identified were job role, managing time, professional development, professional belonging and patient care. The implementation of the hub was an enabler for pharmacists to partake in advanced pharmacotherapy tasks. Pharmacists negatively perceived level 1 core pharmacotherapy tasks in comparison to level 3 clinical patient-facing time. Participants linked the hubs impact on practice with role development, an increase in autonomy, confidence and job satisfaction. Discussion/Conclusion The hub has enabled in-practice pharmacists to move to a more sustainable balance between core and advanced/specialist tasks. Collaboration is required between pharmacy teams and practices to understand the pharmacist role in pharmacotherapy. Further recommendations include continuing the roll-out of pharmacotherapy hubs, standardisation of pharmacist clinical time balanced with core tasks and implementation of protected learning time for pharmacy teams. The study was open to response bias but this was addressed by using semi-structure interview guides in the one-to-one interviews. Researcher bias was minimised by two researchers analysing the data and practicing reflexivity. The study was open to recall bias due to participant’s retrospective thinking. In NHSL prioritising the hub roll-out and collaboration with stakeholders are essential. This will ensure the balance between efficient pharmacotherapy services and maintaining attractive roles, contributing to a sustainable workforce.

Traitement de la cystite simple en pharmacie d’officine : regards croisés de pharmaciens d’officine et d’étudiants en 6e année de pharmacie dans le contexte de la dispensation sous protocole

Introduction: The management of cystitis by community pharmacists based on advanced practices (dispensing antibiotic without a medical prescription) is supposed to meet a public health need. The adoption and successful of these new practices need that those involved in the field take ownership. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and attitudes of community pharmacists and pharmacy students towards the management of cystitis in community pharmacies in the current context and perspective of advanced practices.Method: A cross-sectional multicentric study involving community pharmacists and pharmacy students in their sixth-year internship was performed. Three questionnaires (one/month) designed by pharmacists were sent by email. These focused on the attitude of dealing with patients suffering from cystitis, their interest in the advanced practice, the identification of risk factors for complications, and their behavior in real-life situations.Results and discussion: Almost all of the respondents had already dealt with requests for antibiotics for cystitis without medical prescription, and 50% of pharmacists had already agreed to do so. 88.5% of pharmacists wanted to implement the considered advanced practice. 25% of respondents considered that a dialogue with the patient allows to identify risk factors for complications. The time frame in which the request was made had an impact on their choice of dispensing. The differences between pharmacists and students highlighted the impact of experience and recent initial training. This new advanced practice seems to be able to provide solutions for cystitis management without removing all the barriers especially in term of regulation.

Vaccination Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions, and Educational Needs of Pharmacists in Singapore: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Singapore's adult vaccination coverage is suboptimal, and this can be attributed to a lack of vaccination recommendations and misconceptions. Studies have explored pharmacists' vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviour overseas but limited information about pharmacists in Singapore is available. This study aims to investigate pharmacists' vaccination knowledge, attitudes towards providing vaccination services, and their educational needs. A cross-sectional study was conducted on pharmacists in various practice settings using an anonymous online survey. Pharmacists' vaccination knowledge (median: 2; IQR: 1-3), confidence in providing vaccination services (median: 6; IQR: 5-8), and frequency of providing vaccination services (median: 2; IQR: 1-3) were only average. However, 74.3% of pharmacists agreed that they play an important role as vaccine advocates. Apparent differences in knowledge level (p = 0.008), confidence level (p = 0.001), attitude (p < 0.001), and the frequency of educating patients (p = 0.001) and recommending vaccinations (p < 0.001) were observed among pharmacists from different practice settings. The main barriers identified were discomfort with giving injections (38.5%) and a lack of skills or knowledge (28.3%) at the point of survey. Pharmacists see the importance of their role as vaccine advocates. However, their vaccination knowledge, confidence in providing vaccination services, and practice behaviours are only average due to inadequate training. Continuous professional education is required to increase pharmacists' readiness to provide vaccination services.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community Pharmacists towards Adverse Drug Reactions Reporting in Pokhara

Introduction: The pharmacovigilance activities were initiated since 2004 AD which promote Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) reporting in hospital-based set-up in Nepal. But the system lacks robust activities related to ADRs and its reporting on community-based pharmacy. The role of pharmacist is very essential in preventing harmful effects of medicine. Objective: The main objective of the research is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of community pharmacists towards ADR reporting and to correlates the KAP scores with the demographic distribution of the respondents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by using a self-administered structured questionnaire. During the study period 132 pharmacists working at community pharmacies in Pokhara were selected and they were interviewed. Results: Out of 132 pharmacies visited, with an overall response rate of 65.33%, only 87 pharmacists agreed to response. There were 56 males and 31 females. The pharmacists with post-graduation degree had a high KAP score (21.00) followed by PharmD (19.5), graduate pharmacists (19.35), and then assistant pharmacists (13.8). Conclusion: Majority of the pharmacist had relatively better attitude but good knowledge towards ADRs and pharmacovigilance. In spite of that the knowledge and attitude could not reflected on the practice of ADR reporting. The majority of respondents emphasize the reporting of ADR from ground level is essential, so that the outcome-based treatment can enhance the patient’s safety.

The Perspectives of Community Pharmacists Toward the Name-Based Rationing System During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

In Taiwan's public health system, community-based pharmacists are key first-line health care providers due to their high accessibility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmacists played a central role in the distribution of these supplies through the Name-Based Rationing System (NBRS), during an acute shortage of masks and testing kits, that helped reduce the spread of the disease. The NBRS, an innovative government-guided strategy developed after the COVID-19 outbreak, provided equitable and convenient access to masks and COVID-19 test kits. This study aimed to investigate (1) Taiwanese pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of COVID-19, with the intention to assess their preparedness for public health emergencies and their capabilities to implement COVID-19-related policies effectively; (2) their perspectives toward the NBRS; and (3) the association between individual's KAP and corresponding perspectives toward the NBRS. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted in 2 major cities in Taiwan, from June 18 to September 11, 2022, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. To gauge community pharmacists' KAP, a 66-question instrument was developed using guidelines from the Taiwanese Centers for Disease Control, the International Pharmaceutical Federation, and the Taiwanese Pharmacist Association. The instrument's internal consistency reliability was ascertained using Cronbach α (0.819), and its content validity was verified by field experts. Overall, 343 Taiwanese community pharmacists were recruited in the study. Among them, 88% (303/343) scored high on knowledge domain questions related to SARS-CoV-2; 58% (201/343) and 39% (136/343) held positive and neutral attitudes toward COVID-19-related policies, respectively; and 77% (266/343) practiced infectious disease prevention measures in compliance with official guidelines. The results demonstrated a high level of competency in pharmacists in a public health crisis. It revealed that factors including age, pharmacy characteristics, and the number of customers were associated with their perceptions and willingness to continuously participate in the NBRS. Overall, the community pharmacists showed greater support for the COVID-19-testing NBRS compared with the mask NBRS, because of the more favorable influence on the revenue and workforce of the pharmacies and the well-being of the pharmacists. Responses also highlighted concerns about rapid government policy changes and supply dynamics, underscoring the importance of effective communication and considering supply availability in facilitating a successful NBRS. The strong KAP of the community pharmacists justified the government leveraging their expertise in Taiwan's COVID-19 response. While community pharmacies have proven to be essential distribution centers through the NBRS, improving community connections, communication with the government, and supply management are recommended to strengthen the system. These potential approaches aim to ensure successful NBRS implementation and better preparedness for future public health emergencies. Overall, pharmacists have demonstrated their integral role in achieving equitable outcomes and their dedication to public health efforts during crises.

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pharmacists in Tehran Pharmacies regarding Environmental Health Issues to Increase Good Pharmacy Practice

Background: In addition to being the most accessible medical center in the community, the pharmacy is a center for storing and providing medicines and cosmetics that are directly related to people's health. Therefore, observing environmental health issues in the pharmacy, which is managed by the pharmacist, is considered necessary. In this study, considering the direct and high impact of observing various aspects of environmental health on the good pharmacy practice and its value, it has been tried by examining the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists in the pharmacies of Tehran city and presenting it, the necessary ground for promotion The environmental health status of pharmacies should be provided. Methods: In this research, standard researcher-made questionnaires were designed and after checking its validity by clinical pharmacists, environmental health and biostatistics experts and its reliability with Cronbach's alpha test, It was completed by the pharmacists of Tehran community pharmacies in the period of April to September 2022, observing ethical points and preserving their identity, in order to show their knowledge, attitude and performance towards environmental health issues in the pharmacy where they operate. Then the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS version 23.0 statistical software. Results: Examination of the data obtained from this study showed that the pharmacists in the study have the appropriate level of knowledge and attitude, but their performance in pharmacies is different. Conclusion: Observation of the results of the study shows that due to the lack of appropriate practical training and the lack of strict rules by regulatory authorities, despite the appropriate level of knowledge of pharmacists, in practice do not consider themselves very obliged to observe health principles.

The impact of artificial intelligence on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacists across diverse settings: A cross-sectional study

The pharmacy practice landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI). As essential members of the healthcare team, pharmacists’ readiness and willingness to adopt AI technologies is critical. This cross-sectional study explores pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding AI in various practice settings. Utilizing a descriptive survey methodology, we collected data through a structured questionnaire targeting pharmacists across diverse working environments. Statistical analyses were conducted to calculate KAP scores. Results revealed that 44.8 % of participants possessed a moderate level of knowledge about AI, while 49.1 % expressed positive attitudes toward its potential applications in pharmacy. However, their current practices related to AI were rated as adequate (57.3 %). Notably, a significant association was found between knowledge, attitudes, and practices (p < 0.001). This study provides valuable insights into pharmacists’ readiness to incorporate AI into their practice, emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance knowledge and promote positive attitudes. Furthermore, efforts must be directed towards facilitating the integration of AI into pharmacy workflows to fully leverage this transformative technology and improve patient care outcomes.

Pharmacist knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding pharmacy code of practice and ethics in Iraq.

The Iraqi pharmacy code of practice and ethics enables pharmacists to resolve conflicts between the code and patient demands and satisfy their needs. This study evaluates pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward the pharmacy code of practice and ethics. This cross-sectional study was conducted in three different provenances (Baghdad, Al-Diwaniya, and Wasit) from October 1st to December 31st, 2022. Among 202 Iraqi pharmacists, the mean age was (30.4 ± 6.8) years old, and about (59%) of the participants were aware of the Iraqi Code of Practice and Ethics; similar results were found regarding their practice. About two-thirds of the participants agreed that modifying the Iraqi Pharmacy Code of Practice and Ethics will enable pharmacists to resolve the conflict between the code and patient demands, satisfy their needs, and raise healthcare standards. More than two-thirds of the participants thought that they don't need training courses to give vaccines for addiction, smoking cessation, obesity, or sleeping problems. According to the study, more than half of the Iraqi pharmacists exhibited good knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the pharmacy code of practice and ethics. However, it is recommended that Iraqi pharmacists engage in comprehensive training programs covering different aspects of healthcare, such as vaccination and smoking cessation, to further improve their contribution to the healthcare system.

Community pharmacists' attitudes and barriers toward providing pharmaceutical care for people with mental disorders in Enugu City, Nigeria

BackgroundIn Nigeria, the attitudes of community pharmacists toward providing pharmaceutical care (PC) for people with mental illnesses remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the community pharmacists’ attitudes and barriers toward providing PC services for clients with mental disorders in Enugu, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among all eligible community pharmacists in Enugu, Nigeria. The data were obtained using validated self-administered questionnaire adapted from the literature and a sociodemographic form. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square/Fisher’s Exact test. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsA total of 155 community pharmacists took part in the survey, giving a response rate of 95.6%. The findings showed that more than half of the community pharmacists (n = 80, 51.6%) had positive attitudes toward providing PC services for patients with mental illness. Positive attitudes were associated with having a family member with mental illness (p = 0.038) and a good self-rated knowledge of mental illness (p < 0.001). The most frequently reported barriers to PC were patient factors associated with their symptoms (59.4%) and a lack of patient information (52.9%).ConclusionThe attitudes of community pharmacists toward providing PC for patients with mental illness is largely positive but suboptimal. Patient factors related to their symptoms were cited as the major obstacle to providing PC. Therefore, continued education and training and supportive environment are encouraged to improve the situation.

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Community Pharmacists in Managing Chronic Diseases in Lahore, Pakistan

Background: The rising number of chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents a major danger to the worldwide health community. The ability of individuals to successfully manage their medical problems with the help of healthcare professionals is essential to the effective control of chronic illnesses. Objective: The current study focuses to evaluate the knowledge of community pharmacist’s regarding chronic disease management, their attitude, and their practice to control chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted using random sampling method in Lahore, Pakistan. The samples collected for this study was 110. However, the final sample size was 93, the remaining forms were discarded. Data was collected by visiting community pharmacies in Lahore. The filled questionnaires were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences program software (SPSS Inc., version 21.0, IBM corp., Armonk NY, USA). P-value of less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant values. Results: The results, with a p value of 0.001, indicate a significant difference in adequacy of knowledge between the male and female groups. Majority of the participants have bachelor’s education and are unmarried. The p-value of 0.871 for level of education shows insignificant association between the higher education and better practice scores. The most important finding in this study is significant relationship between technology proficiency and adequacy of knowledge with p-value of 0.005. This shows that those who are more proficient in the technology are significantly more likely to have adequate knowledge. Conclusion: This study concludes that the majority of community pharmacists had adequate knowledge regarding chronic disease management. But showed neutral attitude and fair practice towards the control of chronic diseases. In order to optimize the management of chronic diseases, community pharmacists need to exhibit best practices and a positive attitude.

Deprescribing NSAIDs: The Potential Role of Community Pharmacists.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are largely used for controlling various pain conditions and are widely available in community pharmacies, with and without prescription. Despite their effectiveness, NSAIDs can pose significant risks due to potential side effects and drug interactions, particularly in polypharmacy and comorbidity contexts and for vulnerable users. This study investigated whether and how NSAIDs deprescribing can be conducted at the community pharmacy level by assessing pharmacists' confidence, attitudes, and potential barriers and facilitators. Additionally, we aimed to identify any deprescribing guidelines that pharmacists could use. A literature search and a cross-sectional digital questionnaire targeting community pharmacists in Norway were conducted. Results showed that study participants (N = 73) feel confident in identifying needs for deprescribing NSAIDs but barriers such as time constraints, lack of financial compensation, and communication challenges were noted. Participants reported positive attitudes toward deprescribing but highlighted a need for better guidelines and training. This study highlights a gap in specific guidelines for deprescribing NSAIDs and a potential for enhancing pharmacists' roles in the deprescribing process, for example, through training and improved financial incentives. Further research is encouraged to develop concrete strategies for an effective implementation where community pharmacists can be involved in the deprescribing of NSAIDs.

Pharmacist's knowledge and attitude towards self-medication practices: a cross-sectional study for the development and validation of questionnaire.

Pharmacists play an essential role in self-medication by providing guidance and counselling services to consumers; hence, it is necessary to assess pharmacists' awareness and attitude towards self-medication to promote responsible self-medication practices. To develop a valid and reliable instrument to assess the knowledge and attitude of pharmacists towards self-medication practices and their role in promoting responsible self-medication. A questionnaire was developed in English after a relevant literature review, which was further administered to a sample of 105 community pharmacists. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using the Karl-Pearson correlation and Cronbach alpha statistics. Content validity was evaluated by subject experts. The dimensional structure of items was assessed through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The final questionnaire comprises 27 items for knowledge and attitude with a Karl-Pearson correlation value of 0.896 and Cronbach alpha value of 0.814 (24 items), indicating good internal consistency and reproducibility. Factor analysis identified five factors: namely, (i) attitude towards providing guidance and advice to consumers to promote responsible SMP, (ii) attitude towards shared responsibility for promoting rational medicine supply and use, (iii) knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of SMP, (iv) knowledge of the definition of self-medication, (v) attitude towards professional competency of a pharmacist as a healthcare provider. CFA results demonstrate good model fit with the value of Chi-square (184.56), CFI (0.937), RMSEA (0.054), and SRMR (0.075). Model validity measures ensure satisfactory validity and reliability. The findings demonstrate a valid and reliable measure for assessing the knowledge and attitude of pharmacists towards self-medication.

Assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of hospital-based pharmacists in reporting adverse drug reactions in Lagos, Nigeria

Assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of hospital-based pharmacists in reporting adverse drug reactions in Lagos, Nigeria

Knowledge and Attitude of Community Pharmacists Toward Cow Milk Protein Allergy Complications and Treatment in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sudan.

Cow's milk protein allergy is the most frequent type of food allergy in newborns and young children. It affects numerous body systems. A community pharmacist possessing adequate knowledge and appropriate practices is crucial for the management of the disease. : This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of community pharmacists toward the complications and treatment of cow milk protein allergy. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 332 randomly selected community pharmacists in the Capital of Sudan (Khartoum state). Data were collected using a validated and internally consistent (Cronbach Alpha = 0.712) self-administered questionnaire Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25. The response rate was 95.8%, and about 47.8% of the population had 1-5 years of experience as community pharmacists, and 37.4% of them had a post-graduate degree. Only 30.8% of respondents had good knowledge, while 40.6% had poor knowledge, and 28.6% had scored as having fair knowledge of complications of Cow's milk protein allergy. Regarding knowledge toward treatment, 65.1% of respondents had a poor knowledge, 24.5% had fair knowledge, and only 10.4% had good knowledge. Overall, 39.62% of participants had a positive attitude, and 60.38% had a negative attitude toward this disease. Data analysis showed no significant association between the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents and their knowledge and attitude. Community pharmacists in Khartoum State had inadequate knowledge and attitude about the complications and treatment of cow milk protein allergy. As a result, we recommend the implementation of strategies to raise pharmacists' knowledge and attitude.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of community pharmacists toward chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of community pharmacists toward chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of insulin among diabetic patients and pharmacists in Egypt: “cross-sectional observational study”

BackgroundDiabetes recently has been identified as a growing epidemic. Although insulin’s vital role in both types of diabetes, it is considered one of the harmful medications if used incorrectly. In Egypt, effective usage of insulin remains a challenge due to insufficient knowledge of insulin and diabetes management, leading to errors in insulin therapy. As pharmacists are experts in pharmacological knowledge, they are uniquely situated to assess adherence to treatment regimens, the effect of drug therapy, or potential alterations in drug therapy to meet patient goals. To provide effective patient education and counseling, community pharmacists in Egypt should be efficiently knowledgeable about diabetes and insulin.ObjectiveTo identify the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacists and patients about insulin. To identify pharmacists’ educational preparedness and confidence in counseling diabetic patients.MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with two knowledge, attitude, and practice surveys. This study was carried out from September 2016 to February 2023. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with patients, and a paper-based questionnaire was administered to pharmacists. The two questionnaires were adapted from previous studies.ResultsA total of 492 patients and 465 pharmacists participated in this study. The mean knowledge score of correct answers among patients and pharmacists was 10.67 ± 1.9 and 15 ± 3.6. Most of the patients and pharmacists had a positive attitude regarding insulin’s role in improving health and to better control blood glucose. On the negative side, around half of the patients reported that they believe that regular use of insulin leads to addiction, while only 14.5% of the pharmacists believed that insulin could cause addiction. Self-confidence scores for pharmacists differed statistically with sex, years of experience, and pharmacist’s direct exposure to diabetic patients.ConclusionsThis study uncovers considerable deficiencies in patients’ and pharmacists’ knowledge about insulin therapy. This study also strongly recommends higher education and a more structured pharmacist training schedule.