Knowledge Of Pharmacists Research Articles

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

Background: 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. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on pharmacists in various practice settings using an anonymous online survey. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.

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.

Evaluation of the Knowledge, Opinion, and Approaches of Pharmacists, Physicians, Dieticians, and the Public on Herbal Products Used for Weight Control and Slimming in Northern Cyprus

Evaluation of the Knowledge, Opinion, and Approaches of Pharmacists, Physicians, Dieticians, and the Public on Herbal Products Used for Weight Control and Slimming in Northern Cyprus

Evaluation of Community Pharmacist’s Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding the Pharmacotherapy Management of Gouty Arthritis in Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Gouty arthritis is a prevalent but frequently misdiagnosed condition particularly in developing countries. As a medical expert pharmacists are essential to patient medication management, patient education, and treatment protocol adherence but insufficient information is present on related to gouty arthritis in Pakistan. Objective: The purpose of the study is to evaluate retail pharmacists (KAP) knowledge, attitude, practices regarding gouty arthritis in Lahore community pharmacies. It also examines the relationship between KAP scores and demographic characteristics finding gaps in pharmacist knowledge and treatment of arthritis. Methods: A study with a cross-sectional design was carried out on retail pharmacists working in community pharmacies throughout Lahore. Data on their knowledge attitude and practice regarding gouty arthritis were gathered using a structured questionnaire. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test evaluated normality, in addition to measures of skewness and kurtosis. Statistical analysis involved Fishers exact test and the Chi-square test to ascertain relationships between KAP scores and demographic factors. Effect size was measured using Cramer's V and Phi-square. Results: There is no significant association between demographics of pharmacists and knowledge. There is no association between our study variables and attitude. The post-hoc comparison of p values of different demographics shows no association with the practice regarding gouty arthritis. Conclusion: Despite their generally positive attitudes toward patient care community pharmacists have a notable knowledge gap regarding gouty arthritis. Enhanced training and education are required to improve community pharmacies handling of gout. Limitation such as sample size and response bias should be addressed in future research.

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.

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.

Knowledge of pharmacists in Saudi Arabia on the use of topical corticosteroids in atopic dermatitis

Knowledge of pharmacists in Saudi Arabia on the use of topical corticosteroids in atopic dermatitis

Antibiotic prescribing for acute uncomplicated cystitis among community pharmacists in Thailand.

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of community pharmacists toward acute uncomplicated cystitis regarding diagnosis, referral, and conformity to guidelines of the chosen antibiotic and to identify the associated factors with the pharmacist's knowledge. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire. Data was collected from 349 community pharmacies in upper southern Thailand between December 2021 and February 2022. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with an inappropriate diagnosis of acute uncomplicated cystitis. The variables with P-value < 0.2 were included in the multivariate model. The statistically significant level was set as P-value < 0.05. Three hundred and forty-nine pharmacists from 349 community pharmacies were included. Approximately 65% and 69% of the participants had the knowledge to identify which patients should be considered for cystitis and which patients should be considered for acute uncomplicated cystitis. Ninety eight percentage of pharmacists could select the appropriate antibiotic for uncomplicated cystitis patients. The most prescribed antibiotics were ciprofloxacin (44.7%), norfloxacin (40.7%), and ofloxacin (10.3%). Inappropriate diagnosis was significantly related to age (P = 0.016) and role in the community pharmacy (P = 0.033). The majority of participants had misconceptions about the differential diagnosis between complicated and uncomplicated cystitis. These were related to the community pharmacists' advanced age. Continuous pharmacy education should be established to advocate rational antibiotic use, especially in a country where community pharmacists are legally allowed to dispense antimicrobials without a prescription.

Community Pharmacists' Readiness for Breast Cancer Mammogram Promotion: A National Survey from Jordan.

Mammography is the gold standard screening technique for early detection of breast cancer. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of community pharmacists of different aspects emphasized by the JBCP programs. This study also identifies the attitudes and barriers towards promoting early detection services. This study was a cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists in Jordan. Pharmacists were randomly selected and asked to complete an electronic questionnaire. Inclusion criteria: a pharmacist with a bachelor's degree or higher and registered at the JPA working in a community pharmacy. The questionnaire included demographic and socioeconomic information, knowledge, attitudes towards breast cancer screening mammography services, and barriers towards participation in the promotion of these services. A total of 1,088 community pharmacists were approached, 1,000 (91.8%) completed the questionnaire. Participants had an average age of 34 years ± 10.8 and average experience of 9.1 ± 9.5 years. Only 48 (37.8%) of the female pharmacists aged 40 years or older underwent a mammogram. Knowledge of symptoms of breast cancer was the highest with a score of 755, followed by knowledge of risk factors (670) and finally early detection of breast cancer (540). Many barriers were reported by the community pharmacists including lack of educational materials and time constraints. Pharmacists with higher educational levels (p<0.001), of female gender (p<0.001), attended continuous cancer-related education (p<0.001), encountered a higher percentage of female customers (p<0.001), in a certain geographic location (p=0.003), underwent mammography (p=0.014), and encountered high frequency of inquiries on mammogram by the customers (p<0.001) were all associated with higher knowledge scores. Despite the reported barriers and insufficient knowledge in certain aspects of early detection of breast cancer, community pharmacists have positive attitudes and can be a valuable asset for awareness-raising efforts.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of physicians and pharmacists regarding the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular toxicity associated with cancer treatment

This study aimed to explore physicians’ and pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) regarding the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular toxicity associated with cancer treatment. A multicenter cross-sectional study included physicians and pharmacists between April 2023 and June 2023. The study included 918 participants (514 physicians and 404 pharmacists). The average scores of knowledge, attitudes, and practice were 11.6 ± 3.39, 24.7 ± 2.6, and 26.3 ± 6.8 points. Sufficient knowledge was significantly associated with age ≥ 41 years (odds ratio (OR) = 2.745, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.086–6.941, P = 0.033), male (OR = 2.745, 95% CI 1.150–2.223, P = 0.005), bachelor’s degree (OR = 0.084, 95% CI 0.013–0.533, P = 0.009), master’s degree and above (OR = 0.096, 95% CI 0.015–0.609, P = 0.013), physician occupation (OR = 7.601, 95% CI 1.337–43.207, P = 0.022), pharmacy department (OR = 18.858, 95% CI 3.245–109.57, P = 0.001), oncology department (OR = 4.304, 95% CI 2.426–7.634, P < 0.001), cardiology department (OR = 3.001, 95% CI 1.387–6.492, P = 0.005), hospitals located in Eastern China (OR = 1.957, 95% CI 1.120–3.418, P = 0.018), and hospitals located in Western China (OR = 3.137, 95% CI 1.783–5.518, P < 0.001). Positive attitudes were significantly associated with a senior professional title (OR = 2.989, 95% CI 1.124–7.954, P = 0.028) and hospitals located in Eastern China (OR = 0.424, 95% CI 0.257–0.698, P = 0.001), Western China (OR = 0.231, 95% CI 0.136–0.394, P < 0.001), and Southern China (OR = 0.341, 95% CI 0.198–0.587, P < 0.001). Proactive practice was significantly associated with male (OR = 1.414, 95% CI 1.029–1.943, P = 0.033), senior professional title (OR = 3.838, 95% CI 1.176–12.524, P = 0.026), oncology department (OR = 3.827, 95% CI 2.336–6.272, P < 0.001), and cardiology department (OR = 2.428, 95% CI 1.263–4.669, P = 0.008). Both physicians and pharmacists had positive attitudes toward the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular toxicity associated with cancer treatment, while their knowledge and practice were not as proactive.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice About Vitamin Supplements Counseling in Libyan Community Pharmacies

Pharmacists play an important role in the healthcare system and have a greater impact on the outcome of public health programs. Patients who seek vitamin advice presume the role of community pharmacists including the recommendation of effective vitamin supplements. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and professional practices of Libyan community pharmacists in counselling patients about the safe consumption of vitamins. A cross-sectional study was conducted in pharmacies located in Tripoli, Libya between October 2023 and February 2024. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured self-administrated questionnaire. A total of 235 pharmacists participated in this study. The majority (75.3%) of pharmacists believed that a balanced diet is more achievable by eating healthily than by vitamins supplements. 76.6% of participants believed that chronic consumption of certain vitamins would not shorten life spans, while 65.5% agreed that vitamin supplements could be toxic or might contain unlabeled harmful ingredients. Less than half of pharmacists (35.3) were aware that some antioxidant vitamins have been verified to be of unproven value, or may even cause cancer. 80% of pharmacists would recommend vitamins on a regular basis without prescription, the majority agreed that counselling on vitamin supplements is part of their role in pharmaceutical care (94.5%), in addition to providing relevant information to other healthcare professionals (76.6%). Moreover, responses to specific knowledge questions, such as the interactions of vitamins with drugs or the recommended dietary allowance of vitamins for infants, children, and pregnant women, were negative. Furthermore, only a minority of pharmacists (48.5%) would recheck the accuracy of dose regimens in prescriptions and 50.6% of participants would follow up patients to record any consequences of vitamins consumption. The questionnaire revealed satisfactory awareness of community pharmacists about their role in counselling; however, further programmes to update their knowledge are mandatory to emphasise the importance of vitamin supplements as part of complementary medicine, and their exclusion from being considered as merely over the counter (OTC) products.

Validation of Autism Stigma Knowledge – Questionnaire (ASK-Q) for Brazilian Portuguese

BackgroundLow levels of knowledge among health professionals about autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can impair the care provided to people with autism. In Brazil, there are still no validated instruments that assess the knowledge of pharmacy students and pharmacists regarding ASD. ObjectiveThis study aimed to carry out the cross-cultural adaptation of the Autism Stigma Knowledge Questionnaire (ASK-Q) into Brazilian Portuguese and to evaluate the evidence of content validity. MethodsThis study was conducted in two stages, as recommended in the literature. Stage 1 corresponded to cross-cultural adaptation carried out in six phases (translation of the ASK-Q, synthesis of the translations, evaluation by a committee of experts, evaluation by the target audience of pharmacy students and pharmacists, reverse translation, and evaluation by the author of the original instrument). Step 2 corresponds to the assessment of content validity evidence. ResultsThe instrument presented semantic, idiomatic, conceptual, and cultural equivalences, and the author considered the adaptation adequate. Content validity had an adequate coefficient (0.89). The ASK-Q was cross-culturally adapted to the Brazilian context according to the main theoretical framework. ConclusionsFuture studies will be conducted to evaluate other evidence for the validity of the ASK-Q-Brasil. These studies will be fundamental in assessing knowledge about ASD.

Informing inclusive and affirmative hospital pharmacy services for 2SLGBTQ+ patients.

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) people disproportionally experience health disparities, and hospital pharmacists, given their accessibility and expertise in medication management, are ideally positioned to provide care to this vulnerable population. This study investigated the barriers and facilitators faced by hospital pharmacists when providing care to 2SLGBTQ+ patients, with the goal of informing enhancement of quality care provided to these patients. A mixed-methods triangulation design was utilized, comprising an online survey and qualitative interviews with Canadian hospital pharmacists. The survey used the lens of systemic oppression as a framework and assessed pharmacists' perceptions and knowledge. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of 129 individuals participated in the survey, and 15 participants were interviewed. Eleven themes were identified, and findings revealed a complex web of individual, interpersonal, and systemic barriers and facilitators. Pharmacists expressed a lack of proficiency and confidence in discussing 2SLGBTQ+ health topics, further compounded by an apprehension to engage and a fear of causing harm. Pharmacists desired support from their leadership teams and organizations in the form of access to resources, time to engage in training, and workplace environments that encourage discussions about 2SLGBTQ+ health. Hospital pharmacists in Canada are willing to provide inclusive care to 2SLGBTQ+ patients but face significant barriers. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive education, supportive workplace cultures, and accessible resources to address health disparities and improve care for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

Is Community Pharmacies’ Personnel Well-Oriented about Cosmeceuticals? A Cross-sectional Survey and Costumer Simulation

Background: The cosmetics business is one of the most profitable and advanced global trade sectors, and academic and industrial investments have expanded to provide high-quality products to the right consumers. Thus, this cross-sectional survey assessed Iranian pharmacists and pharmacy technicians' (PT) cosmetic product knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Methods: Between December 2021 and July 2022, pharmacists and PTs who worked in CPs in Tehran province. Demographics were the first questionnaire section after eligibility and consent. Ten questions test knowledge in the second phase. The third portion has nine pharmacist cosmetic product attitudes self-developed questions. We used five-point Likert spectrum scaling. The final component of the questionnaire includes a pharmacist practice checklist. This fulfilled 12 pharmacists' obligations. PT demographics, knowledge, and attitude were measured using an eight-, five-, and eight-item questionnaire. A cosmetic sales checklist with eight practice items was devised to evaluate PTs. Pharmacists and PTs were evaluated for scientific advice on exfoliating lotion and anti-stain sunscreen use, skin type, history, and brand presentation. Using a 95% confidence interval, binary logistic regression found significant relationships between categorical dependent and independent variables. Pearson correlation measured knowledge-performance linearity. Results: The study included 325 pharmacists and 324 PTs. The average knowledge score for pharmacists was 6.38 ± 1.95, while their practice score was 6.35 ± 1.92 out of 10. The overall knowledge score for PTs was 2.8 ± 0.92 out of 5. Results indicate a strong association between pharmacist and PT knowledge and cosmeceutical performance (r= +0.635 and +0.564, respectively, P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: This study indicates community pharmacists and PTs in Tehran have a moderate knowledge about cosmeceuticals. Also, a significant correlation between knowledge and performance was observed in both groups.

Comprehensive Analysis of Knowledge, Perception, and Preparedness of Ghanaian Pharmacists Towards a Pandemic or Another Wave of COVID-19

Despite the decline in infection and death rates, COVID-19 remains a significant global health concern. This study delves into Ghanaian pharmacists' knowledge, perception, and preparedness towards a pandemic or another wave of COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pharmacists across all 16 regions of Ghana between May and July of 2023, with a total of 1199 responses recorded. The data was analyzed using IBM Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS). Of the respondents, 629 (52.5%) were males, while 570 (47.5%) were females. Our study reveals that 98% of the participants provided positive feedback about knowledge-related questions. The study also found an adequate understanding of pharmacists' attitudes toward coronavirus symptoms, transmission, disease severity, and preventive measures. Ghanaian pharmacists' responses toward the perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 were analyzed using questions related to disease contamination, contracting, and fear level due to the disease. The optimistic behaviour and perception of Ghanaian pharmacists were commendable. However, only 45% of the pharmacists were confident about their level of preparedness, underlining the urgent need for updated information and infection control policies. Infection control policies with updated information should be available for all healthcare professionals. Moreover, Ghana needs a blueprint for pandemic management.

Knowledge and Preparedness on Covid-19 of Community Pharmacists in Northern Philippines

Community pharmacists, like other health care providers, have a crucial role in controlling and preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. They should possess adequate knowledge to help in the response against this infection. This study assessed the knowledge and preparedness of community pharmacists working in community pharmacies within a component city in northern Philippines. A descriptive quantitative design was used. Sixty community pharmacists responded to the online survey of a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentage and mean while tests to determine significant difference were done using Independent Samples T-test and One-way ANOVA. Results showed that the community pharmacists are fully knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms, screening guidelines, and transmission prevention for COVID-19. Furthermore, the community pharmacists were fully prepared to manage or control COVID-19 transmission and implement preventive measures to address the pandemic. There is no significant difference in the knowledge and preparedness of the community pharmacist when grouped according to demographic profile. Moreover, there is no significant relationship between the knowledge and preparedness of the community pharmacists toward COVID-19. The researchers conclude that community pharmacists possess the knowledge and preparedness needed to help in the effective response against COVID-19.

Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among community pharmacists in Lahore regarding antibiotic dispensing without prescription: A cross-sectional study.

The irrational dispensing practices are responsible for antibiotic abuse and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community pharmacists (CPs) regarding dispensing antibiotics without prescription (DAwP). A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between March 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023, in community pharmacy settings of Lahore, Pakistan. A self-administered and pretested questionnaire was used for the data collection. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the practices of community pharmacists. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26) and MS Office (2016). Among 359 respondents, many strongly agreed/agreed with the statements "DAwP is contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance" (83%, n = 298) and "Antibiotic resistance has become a public health issue" (81.9%, n = 249). Overall, most of the community pharmacists claimed that the unwillingness of patients to visit physicians for non-serious infections (75.2%, n = 270) and good knowledge of pharmacists about the use of antibiotics (51%, n = 183) were the most common reasons attributable to dispensing of antibiotics without prescription. Cephalosporin (n = 260, 72.4%), penicillin (n = 254, 70.8%), and tetracyclines (n = 170, 47.4%) were the most commonly dispensed classes of antibiotics without prescription due to cold, flu and diarrhea. Most community pharmacists never/sometimes warn patients about the potential side effects of medicines (79.1%, n = 284). Logistic regression analysis revealed that community pharmacists 31-40 years of age (OR = 0.568, 95%CI = 0.348-0.927, p-value = 0.024) were significantly less associated with poor practices of dispensing antibiotics without prescription (DAwP) while those who were 'Managers' (OR = 4.222, 95%CI = 2.542-7.011, p-value = <0.001), had 3-5 years of experience (OR = 2.241, 95%CI = 1.183-4.243, p-value = 0.013), dispensed ≤25 antibiotics per day (OR = 12.375, 95%CI = 5.177-29.583, p-value = <0.001), were more likely to be associated with poor practices of dispensing of antibiotics without prescription. The community pharmacists had adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and poor practices towards DAwP. Demographical factors such as age, job status, and work experience were the determinants of community pharmacists' practices towards dispensing antibiotics without prescription (DAwP). Hence, a multifaceted approach, including educational interventions, is needed to reduce the dispensing of antibiotics without prescription (DAwP).

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