scholarly journals Knowledge, awareness and preparedness regarding coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic among community pharmacy practitioners working in Kathmandu, Nepal: A pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212097451
Author(s):  
Sunil Shrestha ◽  
Nisha Jha ◽  
Subish Palaian ◽  
Pathyil Ravi Shankar

Good knowledge, awareness and preparedness regarding coronavirus disease 2019, among community pharmacy practitioners (CPPs), will enable them to provide correct information and support to patients, convey instructions from the public health authorities and protect their own health. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine knowledge, awareness and preparedness regarding coronavirus disease 2019 among CPPs working in Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sampling method from 10 February to 25 March 2020. Data were analysed descriptively, and one-sample independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare scores among different subgroups of respondents ( p < 0.05). Post hoc analyses (following analysis of variance) were done using the Bonferroni test. Results: A total of 81 CPPs participated. Mean ± standard deviation age was 26.70 ± 5.29 years. Majority of the respondents were male (64.2%). Many CPPs (40.7%) had work experience between 1 and 5 years. Almost half (45.7%) had an educational qualification of Diploma in Pharmacy. Significant differences in knowledge ( p = 0.022) and preparedness ( p < 0.001) were found among individuals with differing levels of work experience. Similarly, a significant difference was found between knowledge-preparedness and work experience ( p = 0.022 and p < 0.001), location of pharmacy ( p < 0.001) and educational qualification ( p = 0.031). Awareness ( p < 0.001) and preparedness scores ( p = 0.049) were different among community pharmacies with the different number of medicines available. Conclusion: Knowledge was found to be higher in CPPs with a work experience of more than 5 years. CPPs working at larger community pharmacies were more aware and prepared. CPPs’ knowledge, awareness and preparedness should be evaluated more widely and strengthened.

Author(s):  
Muhammad Aziz ◽  
Wenjing Ji ◽  
Imran Masood ◽  
Muhammad Farooq ◽  
Muhammad Malik ◽  
...  

Purpose: Patient satisfaction can identify specific areas of improvement in community pharmacy services. Currently in Pakistan, no evidence exists in this regard. This study was conducted to determine the needs of patients and the current standards of pharmacies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2016 and June 2017. A pilot tested questionnaire was used to collected the data from 1088 patients of 544 community pharmacies. Likert scale and one way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Results: The response rate of community pharmacies was 80% and that of purchasers was 68.1%. The mean age of participants was 35.2 years. The mean overall satisfaction score of participants was 2.78/5.00. Many patients were dissatisfied (1.65/5.00) with parking facilities provided by pharmacies. Pharmacy service time fulfilled the requirements of most patients (4.16/5.00). The counseling person’s good attitude (3.99/5.00) was credited by purchasers. Level of patient satisfaction with the availability of medicines (3.19/5.00), safe storage of medicines in pharmacy stores (3.66/5.00), and quality of medicines (3.41/5.00) were almost moderate. Many patients were very satisfied (4.35/5.00) with readable instructions for their medications. Approximately half of the patients were dissatisfied with the waiting time. Many patients were also dissatisfied (2.28/5.00) with the knowledge of the counseling person. Patients perceived that staff interest in patient recovery (2.24/5.00) was low. No significant difference in level of satisfaction with regard to participant’s characteristics was found. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated a low level of patient satisfaction with regard to community pharmacy services in Pakistan. These services need improvement.


PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3973 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Balayssac ◽  
Bruno Pereira ◽  
Julie Virot ◽  
Céline Lambert ◽  
Aurore Collin ◽  
...  

Background Like other health professionals, community pharmacists are exposed to stress factors (being efficient, avoiding mistakes and bearing emotional load), but they are also under the pressure of entrepreneurial responsibilities. The main objective was to assess the level of work-related stress in French community pharmacies. The other objectives of the study were to assess the associated comorbidities and causes of work-related stress. Methods This observational cross-sectional study was sent to all French community pharmacies by email. The survey was anonymous and designed to collect the following items: socio-demographic factors, professional status, characteristics of community pharmacy, work-related stress (visual analogic scale—VAS), fatigue (VAS), sleep disturbances (questions), anxiety and depression symptoms (hospital anxiety and depression scale), medical consultation for work-related stress, medication use for work related stress, psychoactive drug-use and causes of work-related stress. Participants were included in the survey if they were pharmacists (owner or assistant) or pharmacy technicians working in a community pharmacy at the time of the survey. Exclusion criteria were defined as follows: pharmacy students or other professionals involved in a community pharmacy (e.g. dietician, beautician) and lack of professional status information. There was no age limitation. Results After three months of data collection, 1,339 participants answered the survey and 1,272 participants were included in conformity with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and to avoid missing data on the primary endpoint. Work-related stress was detected in 32.8% (417/1,272) of individuals (scores ≥70/100). Men were significantly more affected than women and there was no difference between professional statuses and no relation with the age of the participants. Work-related stress was significantly associated with anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, medical consultations, medication use, alcohol consumption above the WHO recommendations for men and psychoactive drug use. Three causes of stress were clearly identified and related to stress levels, workload, working atmosphere and deterioration of work quality. However, causes of work-related stress were significantly different among professionals, for example: entrepreneurial burden for pharmacists-in-charge and workload for employees (assistant pharmacists and pharmacy technicians). Discussion Work-related stress has a very strong impact in French community pharmacies. This stress was associated with several comorbidities and induces health resource consumption. Several causes of work-related stress have been identified such as workload, working atmosphere and deterioration of work quality; however, these causes could be detected and managed to improve stress levels. We recommend developing individual and organizational stress management in French community pharmacies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhian M. Parker ◽  
Allison Bell ◽  
Marian J. Currie ◽  
Louise S. Deeks ◽  
Gabrielle Cooper ◽  
...  

In Australia and elsewhere, chlamydia screening rates for those aged between 16 and 30 years continue to be low. Innovative, age-appropriate approaches are necessary to increase chlamydia screening among this target group to prevent short- and long-term consequences of the infection such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Studies have demonstrated that offering chlamydia screening in community pharmacies may be a useful adjunct to current screening services. Approximately 90% of Australians visit a pharmacy at least once a year. Chlamydia screening and education in community pharmacies with remuneration may provide another option for opportunistic testing as part of a national chlamydia screening scheme. Compensation is an accepted practice in the field of research and has been demonstrated to improve adherence to health promotion activities. In 2011, a cross-sectional study of community pharmacy-based chlamydia screening offered in conjunction with an A$10 cash incentive to participate was conducted in the Australian Capital Territory. As part of this study young people were asked about their experience of, and views about, pharmacy-based chlamydia screening. The views of consented participants were collected using the one-page questionnaire consisting of 10 closed questions and one open-ended question. Participants completed the questionnaire when they returned their urine sample and before being given the cash incentive. Overall participants were highly satisfied with the pharmacy-based chlamydia screening service. Over 60% of questionnaire respondents felt that the payment did affect their decision to have the chlamydia test, and 23% stated that it made no difference. Young people reported that pharmacy-based screening is acceptable and convenient. Accessibility and the small cash incentive played significant roles in increasing participation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (82) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
Katarina Pavić ◽  
Dragana Milutinović

Introduction: Burnout syndrome is a condition caused by chronic stress at the workplace. Resilience is the ability to cope with the negative situations in life. Purpose: To evaluate the extent of burnout syndrome in nursing teachers at medical high schools and the effect of the level of resilience on burnout syndrome. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study interviewed 101 nursing teachers at four medical schools. Teacher Burnout Scale, The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and socio-demographic questionnaire have been used as instruments of the study. Results: The majority of nursing teachers had moderate symptom of burnout syndrome. The average result on the burnout scale was 56.1. Statistical analyzes showed that there is no statistically significant difference in the manifestation of burnout syndrome in teachers in relation to demographic characteristics (sex, marital status, years of work experience and subjects at medical school). By analysing the results of the two scales, it has been established that there is no statistically significant association between the burnout intensity and the degree of resilience in nursing teachers. Conclusion: The results of the study showed moderate level of burnout in nursing teachers. This may help as an encouragement to develop a strategy for preventing emergence of the burnout syndrome. The results will be useful for further research of burnout syndrome in nursing teachers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Shoji ◽  
Naoki Sakane ◽  
Naoki Ito ◽  
Keiji Sunayama ◽  
Mitsuko Onda

Abstract Background In Japan, there has been a private-sector initiative to register dietitians in pharmacies. There is not yet an adequate amount of data on the attitudes of dietitians in pharmacies regarding their work. Objectives To assess the attitudes of pharmacists and dietitians working in community pharmacies in Japan about their work, and particularly about demonstrating expertise and overall job satisfaction. Methods We administered a web-based questionnaire to pharmacists and dietitians working in pharmacy branches with registered dietitians at two pharmacy chains that agreed to cooperate. We used our own 7-item questionnaire and compared the scores for each item between pharmacists and dietitians. Results A total of 61 persons (22 pharmacists and 39 dietitians) answered the questionnaire. The item with the highest mean score (standard deviation) for pharmacists was "I feel that I am helpful to patients," at 3.50 (0.74), and for dietitians it was "I have colleagues at my workplace whom I can talk to when I have a problem," at 3.51 (1.00). Conversely, the items with the lowest mean score (standard deviation) were "I am satisfied with my current job" for pharmacists, at 3.14 (0.83), and "I can grow sufficiently as a professional" for dietitians, at 2.41 (0.97). As a result of factor analysis, the seven-item question could be divided into two factors: "demonstrating expertise" and "overall job satisfaction.” The factor-score for "demonstrating expertise" was significantly lower for dietitians than for pharmacists (p<0.01), but there was no significant difference in overall job satisfaction between the two professions (p=0.36). Further research is needed to understand why dietitians find “demonstrating expertise” difficult in pharmacies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedigheh Salavati ◽  
Mohammad Amerzadeh ◽  
Amjad Mohammadi Bolbanabad ◽  
Bakhtiar Piroozi ◽  
Shilan Amirihoseini

Purpose Prediction of future changes and making appropriate strategic decisions require strategic thinking in any organization. It helps managers to create new opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to measure strategic thinking and its affecting factors at Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive-analytic as well as a cross-sectional study which was conducted in 2016. Its statistical community included 300 managers and personnel of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. The sample size was equal to statistical community. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire. Data were then entered into SPSS20 and were analyzed using statistical tests such as Freedman, Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis. Findings Overall, strategic thinking was evaluated “good” and “somewhat good” among managers (5.0±72.28) and personnel (6.0±25.48), respectively. Moreover, among the elements of strategic thinking, conceptual thinking obtained the highest score among both managers (6.0±06.32) and personnel (5.0±53.52), which was evaluated in a “good” level. There was a significant difference between managers’ and personnel’s strategic thinking score (p=0.001). Different education groups of managers and personnel were different in terms of strategic thinking (p<0.05), but strategic thinking score of managers and personnel were not significant based on the work experience and type of employment. Originality/value Although both managers and personnel received a good score in terms of strategic thinking, improving the level of strategic thinking especially for future trends and opportunities can lead to enhanced strategic thinking among managers and personnel of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences.


Author(s):  
Niloofar Halvani ◽  
Zahra Bahrololoomi ◽  
Ali Sarchami ◽  
Fatemeh Zarebidoki

Introduction: Fissure sealant is one of the most important and effective preventing techniques. Having proper information and guidelines is the most important factors for the success of treatment. Therefore, in this study, the knowledge, attitude and practice of general dentists about fissure sealant in Yazd in 2017 were evaluated. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by a questionnaire in which 140 general dentists were investigated in Yazd. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information, 9 questions about awareness of the issue of Fissure sealant, 4 questions about people's attitude and 7 questions about their practice. After gathering the data, they were analyzed by SPSS 20 version 18 software and ANOVA test. Results: The results of the study showed that the majority of General dentists had a good knowledge (85.72%), their attitude level (77.14%) and performance (85%) were moderate. There was a significant difference in knowledge (P-value = 0.004) and practice (P-value = 0.000) levels in age group and work experience, but there was no significant difference in attitude level (P-value = 0.980). Conclusion: According to the results, the knowledge of dentists in Yazd seems to be good in most cases, but their attitudes and practice are moderate and in some cases poor, despite having good knowledge, the results indicate that they are not up to date with new information and resources. This indicates the need to train new resources in retraining courses with emphasis on functional weaknesses and dentists' awareness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4-s) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Shuhd Alawi ◽  
Nazeh Al-Abd ◽  
Ali Rageh ◽  
Wafa F.S. Badulla ◽  
Mohammed Alshakka

Background: Pharmaceutical care (PC) is the value of a practice that includes recognizing and solving medication therapy issues to improve patient outcomes. Studies regarding this issue in Yemen are very limited. Objectives: The study aims to assess the perception of community pharmacists to the concept of Pharmaceutical care and the obstacles that limit the provision of pharmaceutical care. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study of community pharmacy dispensers (CPDs) was conducted among pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacies in different areas of South Yemen from September 2019 until December 2019. The structured self-administered questionnaires consist of four sections dealing with the demographics of participants and their understanding of the concept of pharmaceutical care and their attitudes and obstacles to the implementation of pharmaceutical care in Yemen. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 Results: A total of Two-hundred pharmacists were included in this study. The result revealed that there were a reasonable number of experts (over 5 years' experience) and educated pharmacists( Diploma and bachelor’s degree) available for counseling patients about specific issues in the community pharmacies. Interestingly, all the respondents had good knowledge of pharmaceutical care and the majority of the pharmacists (87.5%) had a favorable attitude toward pharmaceutical care and their role in the health care system. The overall results relating to the perceived frequency of community pharmacy services provision was lower than (50%) in most statements. The result indicated a gap in the community pharmacists' communication with the patients. There are several barriers impedes the active and effective involvement of community pharmacists such as; insufficient communication with physicians, lack of physical space for pharmaceutical care, the slow introduction of pharmacists’ law, and others. Conclusion: The results revealed that pharmacists' understanding of the pharmaceutical care concept is good despite that there was no real implementation of pharmaceutical care. Even though they had positive attitudes towards the concept but there were many barriers to the effective application. Keywords: Pharmaceutical Care Concept; Community Pharmacists; South Yemen


Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Shi ◽  
Jie Chang ◽  
Xiaoxi Liu ◽  
Panpan Zhai ◽  
Shuchen Hu ◽  
...  

The inappropriate use of antibiotics is a major health issue in China. We aimed to assess nonprescription antibiotic dispensing and assess pharmacy service practice at community pharmacies in Shenyang, northeastern China, and to compare these practices between pediatric and adult cases. A cross-sectional study was performed from March to May 2018 using the standardized client method. Two different simulated scenarios were presented at pharmacies, namely, pediatric and adult acute cough associated with a common cold. Of 150 pharmacy visits, 147 visits were completed (pediatric case: 73, adult case: 74). A total of 130 (88.4%) community pharmacies dispensed antibiotics without a prescription, with a significant difference between pediatric and adult cases (pediatric case, 79.5% versus adult case, 97.3%, p = 0.005). Symptoms were asked in most visits (pediatric case: 82.2%, adult case 82.4%). Patients’ previous treatment and history of allergies were both inquired more frequently in the pediatric cases than in the adult cases. Medication advice was provided more often in the adult cases than in pediatric cases. Antibiotics were easily obtained without a prescription in Shenyang, especially for adult patients. Adequate inquiries and counseling had not occurred in most pharmacies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 3444-3446
Author(s):  
Naheem Ahmed ◽  
Manzoor Ali Khan ◽  
Raja Imtiaz Ahmad ◽  
Rashada Bibi ◽  
Amara Khursheed ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the frequency of non-breastfed infants presenting to the pediatric department with respiratory tract infection. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Nahyan Hospital CMH Muzaffarabad, during a period of six months from May 2020 to October 2020. All patients between 1 month to 12 months visiting OPD or admitting in pediatric ward with respiratory tract infection and either gender were included. Information regarding baseline demographic characteristics was recorded. The mothers were interviewed about feeding pattern of the infants. All information was recorded on the prescribed proforma. Results: A total of two hundred and forty-five children were studied, and their average age was 7.4±2.8 months. Males were 54.3% and females were 45.7%. Out of all 29.8% (n=73/245) of infants found who had never been breastfed. No significant difference was found according to the effect modifiers (P>0.05). Conclusion: A remarkable proportion of infants (29.8%) who presented with respiratory tract infection had never been breastfed. Counseling programs should be done for mothers to modify their perceptions regarding breastfeeding and its benefits. It is suggested that the public health authorities should launch awareness programs for the public about benefits of breastfeeding and its role in the prevention of infections in infants. Keywords: Breast feeding, Non-breastfed, Respiratory Tract Infection


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