Pharmacists as immunizers in Lebanon: a national survey of community pharmacists’ willingness and readiness to administer adult immunization

Abstract Background Since the focus of healthcare has shifted toward prevention, pharmacists were highly encouraged to expand their practice to include immunization services. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of community-based Lebanese pharmacists, in addition to their willingness to expand their practice scope to include vaccine administration. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during the phase preceding the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine in Lebanon between 1 and 31st December 2020. Using a stratified random sampling method, data were collected from Lebanese community pharmacists (CPs) through an online survey that included information on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical experience, willingness to administer vaccines, knowledge about vaccination, attitudes towards immunization, reasons supporting utilizing pharmacists as immunizers and the requested elements to incorporate immunization in pharmacists’ practice scope. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with knowledge. Results A total of 412 community pharmacists participated in this survey. Of the total, 66.5% of the surveyed CPs are willing to administer vaccines. The majority of them (89.8%) had an overall good level. Out of all, 92.7% showed a positive overall attitude score toward immunization, 95.4% agreed that community pharmacists can play an important role in advertising and promoting vaccination. The main needed elements for implementing immunization services in pharmacies listed by participants were: support of health authorities (99.3%), statutory allowance (82.8%), patient demand (95.4%), pharmacist’s interest (96.1%) and continuous education and training workshops on immunization. Older CPs (50 years and above) [aOR = 0.703, CI 95% (0.598–0.812)] and those working in Bekaa and North have lower knowledge score than their counterparts. High educational level [aOR = 1.891, CI 95% (1.598–2.019)], previous experience in immunization [aOR = 3.123, CI 95% (2.652–4.161)] and working in urban areas [aOR = 3.640, CI 95% (2.544–4.717)] were positively associated with a good knowledge level. Conclusion Most of Lebanese community pharmacists are willing to offer immunizations. The expansion of the pharmacists practice scope to include provision of immunizations required a national plan that encompasses strengthening knowledge, training, certification for eligibility to administer vaccines, enhancing pharmacovigilance and statutory reform.

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Pharmacists as Immunizers in Lebanon: A National Survey of Community Pharmacists’ Willingness and Readiness to Administer Adult Immunization

10.21203/rs.3.rs-757591/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dalal Youssef ◽

Linda Abou Abbas ◽

Suzan Farhat ◽

Hamad Hassan

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Education And Training ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Attitude Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Immunization Services ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

And Training

Abstract Background: Since the focus of healthcare has shifted toward prevention, pharmacists were highly encouraged to expand their practice to include immunization services. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of community-based Lebanese pharmacists, in addition to their willingness to expand their practice scope to include vaccine administration. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the phase preceding the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine in Lebanon between 1st and 31st December 2020. Data were collected from Lebanese pharmacists through an online survey that included information on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical experience, willingness to administer vaccines, knowledge about vaccination, attitudes towards immunization, reasons supporting utilizing pharmacists as immunizers and the requested elements to incorporate immunization in pharmacists’ practice scope. Knowledge and attitude scores were computed. Participants’ overall knowledge and overall attitude were categorized using modified Bloom’s cut-off point as good if the score was equal or more than 60%, and poor if the score was less than 60%.Results: A total of 412 community pharmacists participated in this survey. Of the total, 66.5% of the surveyed community pharmacists are willing to administer vaccines. The majority of surveyed pharmacists (96.1%) had an overall good level. Out of all, 92.7% showed a positive overall attitude score toward immunization, 95.4% agreed that community pharmacists can play an important role in advertising and promoting vaccination. The main needed elements for implementing immunization services in pharmacies listed by participants were: support of health authorities (99.3%), statutory allowance (82.8%), patient demand (95.4%), pharmacist’s interest (96.1%) and continuous education and training workshops on immunization. Conclusion: Most of Lebanese community pharmacists are willing to offer immunizations. However, before any statutory reform targeting the expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice to include provision of immunizations, it is important to consider education and training as a fundamental part of the process.

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Barriers to Implementing a Pharmacist-Run Immunization Service, as Perceived by community Pharmacists in a Middle Eastern Country: A cross sectional web-based survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-861898/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dalal Youssef ◽

Linda Abou Abbas ◽

Hamad Hassan

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Working Hours ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Previous Experience ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Immunization Service ◽

Immunization Services

Abstract Background: Several barriers to instigating a pharmacist-run immunization program existed. This survey aims to identify the barriers perceived by Lebanese community pharmacists (CPs) to implementing such a program and the association of these barriers with their willingness to provide immunization services.Methods:A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted over the period of time extending between the 1st of November and the end of December 2020 among Lebanese community pharmacists. The questionnaire included information on their socio-demographic characteristics, willingness to vaccinate and the perceived barriers to the run of immunization service. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 24.0. Two logistic regression were conducted, one to identify factors associated with pharmacists high perception of barriers and another one to determine the predictors of the pharmacist’s willingness to vaccinate.Results:Out of the 412 surveyed community pharmacists, 67.48% of them were willing to expand their practice scope to include immunization. The main perceived barriers were the conflict with other professionals, liability, and reimbursements concerns, time for professional development and lack of knowledge of adverse events after immunization. Our results showed that females were more likely to perceive barriers than males (aOR=2.460, 95% CI (1.876:6.909)). However, pharmacists reporting previous experience in immunization (aOR=0.250, 95% CI (0.170:0.586)), working in urban area (aOR=0.451, 95% CI (0.199:0.926)) and having extensive working hours (aOR=0.244, 95% CI (0.05:1.2)) were less likely to perceive barriers. Female pharmacists were less willing to vaccinate (aOR=0.211, 95% CI (0.116:0.383)). However, having less than 40 years old (aOR=2.518, 95% CI (1.236:5.130)), having large experience ((aOR=1.78, 95% CI (1.087 to 2.993)) or previous experience in immunization (aOR=1.702, 95% CI (1.092 to 3.141)), being pharmacy owner (aOR=1.504, 95% CI (1.098:2.103)) and working more than 24 hours per week (aOR=2.622, 95% CI (1.447:4.752) were positively associated to the willingness to vaccinate. Pharmacists who perceived reimbursement (aOR=0.449 with 95% CI (0.264-0.765)), lack of pharmacy space (aOR=0.410 with 95% CI (0.158-1.060)), sharp safety (aOR=0.298 with 95% CI (0.146-0.609)) and insufficient staff (aOR=0.388 with 95% CI (0.190-0.794)) as barriers were less likely to implement pharmacy-run immunization.Conclusion:Addressing the identified barriers driving pharmacist’s lower willingness to vaccinate would be required to fully harness the potential of pharmacists as vaccinators.

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Knowledge, perceptions and practices of pharmacists regarding generic substitution in China: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051277 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. e051277

Author(s):

Jinghan Qu ◽

Wei Zuo ◽

Shaohong Wang ◽

Liping Du ◽

Xin Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Generic Substitution ◽

Generic Drugs ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

True Value

ObjectiveTo evaluate pharmacists’ knowledge, perceptions and practices towards generic substitution in the 11 pilot locations in China.DesignAn online cross-sectional survey using questionnaires was conducted. A convenience sampling technique was implemented to recruit pharmacists.Setting and participantsThe study took place in medical institutions of 11 pilot locations that participated in the pilot national centralised procurement programme in 2019. Two thousand two hundred and ninety-one pharmacists including hospital pharmacists or community pharmacists based on health-systems or clinics participated in the study.ResultsMost of the participants had the good knowledge of requirements for evaluating the quality and efficacy of generic drugs (n=2118; 92.4%), and the definition of generic drugs (n=2078; 90.7%). In terms of perceptions, 67.3% of respondents were of the opinion that generic drugs are equally as effective as the brand-name drugs, and 69.0% of respondents were of the opinion that generic drugs are as safe as brand equivalents. A high percentage of participants supported the policy of generic substitution (n=1634; 71.4%). A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between total knowledge score and total perception score (ρ=0.267; p<0.001). Efficacy, safety and the direction of national policies and hospital regulations were the main factors affecting pharmacists’ willingness to dispense generic drugs.ConclusionsThe study identified gaps in respondents’ knowledge and perceptions of generic substitution. Pharmacists who are more knowledgeable in generic drugs tend to hold a more supportive attitude towards generic substitution. Although it appeared that pharmacists in China have largely accepted generic substitution, they still have concerns regarding the reliability and quality of generic drugs. The current issues need to be addressed for the realisation of the true value of generic drugs as part of the country’s healthcare cost-containment strategy as well as the implementation of generic substitution policy in China.

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Community Pharmacists’ as Influenza immunizers in a Middle Eastern country: A national web-based cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-780685/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dalal Youssef ◽

Linda Abou Abbas ◽

Hamad Hassan

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Influenza Vaccines ◽

Attitude Score ◽

Patient Privacy ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Factors Associated

Abstract Background Utilizing community pharmacists (CPs) as immunizers has being adopted in various countries as approach to boost influenza vaccination coverage. Our study aims to explore the Lebanese CPs’ willingness to administer influenza vaccine, and to identify factors associated with this willingness. Methods This is a web-based, cross-sectional study, conducted over 2 months, from the 1st of November to the end of December 2020, among Lebanese CPs. An anonymous, questionnaire using google form was sent electronically to pharmacists. The collected data was analyzed using the statistical software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine factors associated with the willingness of CPs to administer influenza vaccine. Results A total of 412 CPs participated in this survey of which 76.9% are willing to administer influenza vaccines. More than 90% of them had a good overall knowledge score and 88.8% of CPs showed a positive overall attitude score, particularly towards involvement of CPs in influenza vaccine provision. Their willingness to administer vaccine was positively associated with the younger age (aOR = 3.106 with 95% CI (1.597 to 6.040)), higher education level (aOR = 2.022 with 95% CI (1.093 to 3.741)), previous experience in immunization (aOR = 2.725 with 95% CI (1.320 to 5.627)) and urbanicity of pharmacy (aOR = 1.542 with 95% CI(1.219 to 4.627)). Extensive working hours (aOR = 2.341 with 95% CI (1.131 to 4.845)), working in pharmacies that are operating round-the-clock, showing positive attitude towards immunization (aOR = 3.014 with 95% CI (1.872 to 10.422)) and towards provision of influenza vaccines (aOR = 13.721 with 95% CI (13.721 to 38.507)) were also positively associated to this willingness. Conversely, patient privacy (aOR = 0.553 with 95% CI (0.079 to 0.983)), time and cost for professional development (aOR = 0.551 with 95% CI (0.172 to 0.918)), limited patient’s trust (aOR = 0.339 with 95% CI (0.203 to 0.784)), financial remuneration (aOR = 0.182 with 95% CI (0.088 to 0.377)), and requirement of formal certification in vaccine administration (aOR = 0.182 with 95% CI (0.088 to 0.377)) were negatively associated to this willingness. Conclusion Addressing the unearthed concerns related to utilizing CPs as influenza immunizers through a concerted effort is a key to success in any future implementation of vaccination services in pharmacies.

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Knowledge about Epilepsy and Attitudes toward Students with Epilepsy among Middle and High School Teachers in Kuwait

International Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1155/2016/5138952 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Eman Al-Hashemi ◽

Abdullatif Ashkanani ◽

Haneen Al-Qattan ◽

Asmaa Mahmoud ◽

Majd Al-Kabbani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Teaching Experience ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Attitude Score ◽

School Teachers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Poor Knowledge ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Attitudes Toward Students

Background and Objectives. Attitudes toward students with epilepsy and epilepsy-related knowledge of teachers are crucial for child’s safety in the school. The aim of this study was to evaluate teachers’ knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy.Methods. This cross-sectional study included 824 teachers from 24 randomly selected middle and high schools. Scale of Attitudes Toward Persons with Epilepsy (ATPE) was modified to assess teachers’ knowledge about epilepsy and attitudes toward students with epilepsy.Results. Median knowledge score about epilepsy was 5 (out of 13), while median attitude score was 10 (out of 15). Both knowledge and attitude median scores were significantly higher in senior teachers with longer teaching experience and in respondents who dealt with a person with epilepsy. There was significant association between knowledge score and attitude score (p<0.01). Logistic regression showed that significant variables, independently associated with poor knowledge after adjusting for possible confounders, were not having a family member with epilepsy (p=0.009), unawareness of life circumstances of persons with epilepsy (p=0.048), and a poor attitude score (p<0.001).Conclusion. School teachers in Kuwait have relatively poor knowledge about epilepsy but have positive attitudes toward students with epilepsy. A number of historical and stigmatizing ideas about epilepsy still exist. It is recommended to provide teachers with information about handling seizures in the educational setting through development and implementation of epilepsy education programs.

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The use of olive oil for skin health in a Saudi population: a cross-sectional study

Dermatology Reports ◽

10.4081/dr.2021.9364 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Faisal Alnemer ◽

Raed Aljohani ◽

Abdulrahman Alajlan ◽

Mohammad Aljohani ◽

Ibrahim Alozaib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Female Gender ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Average Score ◽

Attitude Score ◽

Educational Organizations ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

The use of topical olive oil (OO) for skin health is common among Saudis and worldwide. Therefore, this cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing the use of topical OO for skin health among Saudis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was administered to Saudis at four different malls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 401 participants were enrolled in the study. The results showed that the average knowledge score of the participants was 3.4±0.3 (out of 5) and 87% had fair knowledge. The top source of knowledge among the participants was friends/relatives. In the attitude section, the average score was 4.1±0.5 (out of 5). Females had a higher attitude score 4.2±0.5 as compared to males 4±0.5 (P=0.03). The most common reason for using topical OO among the participants was skin moisturizing (73%). Female gender was the only significant factor associated with the use of topical OO (P < 0.001). The use of topical OO for skin health is highly prevalent in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Therefore, more awareness of the benefits and adverse effects of topical OO use is required especially from health educational organizations. The preliminary results of this study suggest further research with a larger sample in an academic setting across the nation.

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Knowledge, attitude and preventive practices related to COVID-19 among health professionals of Punjab province of Pakistan

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.12878 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (07) ◽

pp. 707-712

Author(s):

Muhammad Salman ◽

Zia Mustafa ◽

Noman Asif ◽

Haider Abbas Zaidi ◽

Naureen Shehzadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Professionals ◽

Working Hours ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Face Mask ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Attitude Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tissue Paper ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Punjab Province

Introduction: Considering health professionals among high-risk individuals, we aimed to evaluate their knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the health professionals (medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, hospital technicians and technologists) providing services at seven hospitals of Punjab province of Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices regarding COVID-19. Results: All of the participants (N = 429) reported that they were aware of COVID-19 and social media was the major source (65%) of this information. Mean knowledge score was 12 ± 2.1, with 75.5% of participants having satisfactory knowledge. Doctors were found to have significantly better knowledge scores than the other health professionals (p = 0.001). Mean attitude score was 8.0 ± 1.2, with a wide majority of health professionals (86.5%) having positive attitudes. Regarding preventive practices, around 64% reported of always covering nose and mouth with a tissue paper during sneezing or coughing and nearly 65% disposed of the dirty tissue paper in trash bin. Only 40% of the participants reported that ‘if they do not have tissue, they cough or sneeze into upper sleeves’. Around 45% reported that they used face mask during their working hours in hospitals nowadays. Mean practice score was 23.3 ± 3.6, with 73.4% of health professionals having satisfactory practices. Conclusions: The overall COVID-19 related KAP of Pakistani health professionals are satisfactory, however some misperceptions and malpractices uncovered in the present study must be addressed to effectively combat COVID-19.

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Knowledge and perception of COVID-19 in Mexico through online surveys: a descriptive and cross-sectional study. (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.22954 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Catalina García-Vielma ◽

Teresa Carolina Villarreal-Benavides ◽

Mario Ernesto Villarreal-Benavides

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mexican Population ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Online Surveys ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Authorities ◽

The Media

BACKGROUND COVID-19 pandemic has a great impact on the Mexican population. People have different perceptions and reactions to an event of such magnitude. This can be investigated by applying online surveys distributed by social networks that guarantee high response rates and results in short time OBJECTIVE Inquire about knowledge and perception of the COVID 19 pandemic in Mexico METHODS Descriptive and cross-sectional study. The data was collected through an online survey with personal data and general knowledge of virus and disease, economic and social aspects, and news images and related with emotions perceived by the population. Was distributed by social networks Facebook© and WhatsApp© from April 5th-9th, 2020, during phase 2 of pandemic in Mexico. The participation was voluntary, anonymous and confidential. A percentage of all results were determined. RESULTS 2798 responses were analyzed. 99.9% answered the survey. The main data were: age 21-40 years (51%), gender: female (81%), almost 100% recognized the transmission and symptoms of COVID-19. 99% implement washes hands. 74.9% enjoy "good" health status, however, 50% suffer chronic diseases. The predominant state of mind was concern. Conclusion: Social media and online surveys could be an important tool to investigate knowledge and perceptions among the population. Our results could help society in general; health authorities and the media, to know the perceptions and needs of the Mexican population during the pandemic and take preventive measures, especially due to the high percentage of people with chronic diseases that could complicate the prognosis of the disease. CONCLUSIONS The use of online surveys allows quick results to be obtained from the knowledge of a population on a particular topic. In Mexico, the COVID-19 pandemic is a problem perceived with concern. Part of this could be real, due to the country's resources, and the presence of chronic diseases in a large percentage of the Mexican population. On the other hand, there is a large amount of fake news in various media, which increases this. Actions by government and society to reduce these levels of worry and anxiety could save many lives. We consider that the results of this descriptive study could be useful for health authorities, medical personnel, the media and the general population, to know the perception of Mexican inhabitants about COVID-19 and save data on measurements and patterns that can be applied in the future for other disease outbreaks.

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Nutritional Trends and Practices Among 6-23 Months Old Children: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study From Bhaktapur, Nepal

10.21203/rs.3.rs-131657/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sophiya Uprety ◽

Anjita Khadka ◽

Alina Paudyal ◽

Dhruba Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Population Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Child Undernutrition ◽

Nutrition Policies ◽

Immunization Services ◽

Study Population

Abstract Background: Child undernutrition has been a prevailing issue in country like Nepal. Though there has been progress over the decades, the burden of child undernutrition still remains unacceptably high. It is important to look at how infants and young children’s feeding practices and nutritional status are affected by nutrition transitioning in rapidly urbanizing Nepal Methods: This is a cross-sectional research design Children aged 6-23 months and their mothers visiting the hospital for regular immunization services constituted the study population. Data was collected from 305 children over four months from September 2019 to January 2020. Anthropometric measurements (weight and length) were collected of all children and their mothers/caretakers were interviewed on the IYCF practices via a semi-structured questionnaire Data was analyzed using WHO Anthro Survey Analyzer, Microsoft Excel and STATA 15.Results: Early initiation of breastfeeding was 47.9% and use of bottle was 48.5%. Minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet were 66.2%, 79.1% and 54.4% respectively. Consumption of nutrient-poor packaged foods was 63.0% with biscuits being the most common type (52.1%) and 32.8% of the children were found to be drinking tea. Overall, 13.8% of the children were stunted, 3.9% were underweight and 1.7% were wasted while 2.3% were overweight.Conclusion: The practices related to breastfeeding and diets of young children in urban areas of Nepal are not optimal with only around half meeting the minimum standards recommended by the WHO. Therefore, there is a pressing need to wake up to the rapidly changing dietary patterns among young children through necessary urban nutrition policies and programmatic interventions, the rising adverse nutrition issues can be nipped in the bud before they get too pervasive.

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An Insight from Undergraduate Medical Students of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2021.28.03.5465 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (03) ◽

pp. 399-406

Author(s):

Nazish Waheed ◽

Brekhna Jamil ◽

Robina Usman ◽

Humera Waqar

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Attitude Score ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Student Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students toward research. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Private Medical Colleges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Period: November 2018 to July 2019. Material & Methods: A total of 938 final year medical students participated in the study. A validated self administered questionnaire was used for the collection of data. The student’s perception was assessed through questionnaire based on 5-point Likert scale. For the assessment of knowledge MCQs were marked as 1 in case of correct answer and 0 in case of incorrect answer. Results: Out of 1300 students, 938 returned the questionnaire resulting in a 74% response rate. 481(51%) participants were male and 457(49%) were females. The participants had a mean knowledge score of 6.103 out of a total of 15 questions and mean attitude score of 76.29. Conclusion: This study concludes a low knowledge score coupled with a positive attitude of doing research. More attention must be placed on these parameters in the curriculum to improve student knowledge in health research.

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