Levels of involvement of community pharmacy professionals in public health services, Amhara, Ethiopia, N = 412.

<p>Levels of involvement of community pharmacy professionals in public health services, Amhara, Ethiopia, N = 412.</p

Involvement of community pharmacists in public health priorities: A multi-center descriptive survey in Ethiopia

<div><p>Located in the heart of the community and widely distributed geographically, community pharmacies provide a platform for a more proactive involvement in public health services. So far, little information has been gathered in Ethiopia on community pharmacists’ level of involvement in public health services. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to document the level of involvement of community pharmacy professionals in the provision of public health services and the barriers to such involvement. This study employed a self-administered questionnaire based survey, which asked participants to indicate their frequency and level of involvement in providing public health services and their perceived barriers in providing such services. Surveys were undertaken from May to July, 2016 with 472 community pharmacy professionals working in community pharmacies in six cities of Amhara regional state of Ethiopia: Debre Markos, Gondar, Dessie, Bahir Dar, Woldya and Debre Birhan. Among 472 community pharmacy professionals approached, 412 (233 pharmacists and 179 pharmacy technicians) completed the survey with a response rate of 87.3%. Most respondents reported as being either “not at all involved” or “little involved” in counselling on smoking cessation (79.3%), and screening for hypertension (86.9%), diabetes (89.5%), and dyslipidemia (88.9%). On the other hand, they reported a higher level of involvement in the management and screening of infectious diseases (72.8%) and counseling with partners when initiating treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (68.9%). Lack of knowledge or clinical skills and lack of personnel or resources were the most commonly reported barrier for expanding such services. This survey revealed a low level of involvement of community pharmacists in public health services. In order to better integrate community pharmacies into future public health programs and optimize the contribution of community pharmacy professionals, interventions should focus on overcoming the identified barriers.</p></div

Characteristics of community pharmacy professionals and CDROs, Amhara, Ethiopia, N = 412.

<p>Characteristics of community pharmacy professionals and CDROs, Amhara, Ethiopia, N = 412.</p

Characteristics of public health services provided by community pharmacy professionals, Ethiopia, N = 412.

<p>Characteristics of public health services provided by community pharmacy professionals, Ethiopia, N = 412.</p

Perceived barriers to the provision of public health services in CDROs (Mean) (Likert scale: 0 = not at all problematic to 5 = extremely problematic), Amhara, Ethiopia, N = 412.

<p>Perceived barriers to the provision of public health services in CDROs (Mean) (Likert scale: 0 = not at all problematic to 5 = extremely problematic), Amhara, Ethiopia, N = 412.</p

Statistical test (chi square) of the involvement of community pharmacy professionals in selected public health priorities according to demographic variables, Amhara, Ethiopia (N = 412).

<p>Statistical test (chi square) of the involvement of community pharmacy professionals in selected public health priorities according to demographic variables, Amhara, Ethiopia (N = 412).</p

Management of minor ailments in a community pharmacy setting: Findings from simulated visits and qualitative study in Gondar town, Ethiopia

<div><p>Community pharmacy professionals are being widely accepted as sources of treatment and advice for managing minor ailments, largely owing to their location at the heart of the community. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to document the involvement of community pharmacy professionals in the management of minor ailments and perceived barriers that limit their provision of such services. Simulated patient (SP) visits combined with a qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted among community pharmacy professionals in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Scenarios of three different minor ailments (uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection, back pain and acute diarrhea) were selected and results were reported as percentages. Pharmacy professionals were also interviewed about the barriers in the management of minor ailments. Out of 66 simulated visits, 61 cases (92.4%) provided one or more medications to the SPs. Pharmacy professionals in 16 visits asked SPs information on details of symptoms and past medical and medication history. Ibuprofen alone or in combination with paracetamol was the most commonly dispensed analgesics for back pain. Oral rehydration fluid (ORS) with zinc was the most frequently dispensed medication (33.3%) for the management of acute diarrhea followed by mebendazole (23.9%). Moreover, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid capsule (35%) followed by Amoxicillin (25%) were the most commonly dispensed antibiotics for uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. Lack of clinical training and poor community awareness towards the role of community pharmacists in the management of minor ailments were the main barriers for the provision of minor ailment management by community pharmacy professionals. Overall, community pharmacists provided inadequate therapy for the simulated minor ailments. Lack of access to clinical training and poor community awareness were the most commonly cited barriers for providing such services. So as to improve community pharmacists’ involvement in managing minor ailments and optimize the contribution of pharmacists, interventions should focus on overcoming the identified barriers.</p></div

Community pharmacists’ interest in research activities (N = 389).

<p>Community pharmacists’ interest in research activities (N = 389).</p

Community pharmacists’ attitude towards research activities (N = 389).

<p>Community pharmacists’ attitude towards research activities (N = 389).</p

The scenarios employed in the simulated study, Gondar, 2016.

<p>The scenarios employed in the simulated study, Gondar, 2016.</p