ACCESSIBILITY AND USE OF ANTIBIOTICS AMONG PATIENTS VISITING COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Antibiotic resistance is an increasing problem worldwide. Among contributory factors is increasing easy access to antibiotics which is a trend in developing countries. The objective of this study is to determine the accessibility and use of antibiotics. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in eight community pharmacies in Benin City, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Administrative approval was obtained from the superintendent pharmacists, while informed consent was sought from all study participants. The data obtained from the study were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22. Of the 450 participants in the study, most [329 (73.11%)] had used antibiotics in the last six months before their current visit to the pharmacy, 207 (46%) of them took the antibiotic without laboratory investigation. Many [274 (60.89%)] of the participants had an antibiotic among the medications they got from the pharmacy on their current visit. More than half [289 (64.22%)] of the participants sometimes got antibiotics without prescription. More Pharmacists recommended antibiotics for participants compared to doctors (44.11%: 24.44%), while more than half of the study population (62.89%) got their antibiotics from pharmacies. Many [295 (65.56%)] of the participants think that the country should regulate antibiotic use. This study has shown that community pharmacy is a major outlet where patients source antibiotics sometimes without a prescription, thus denoting that many patients self-medicate with antibiotics. The need for incorporating community pharmacists in developing guidelines for prescribing and using antibiotics is crucial.

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ANTIBIOTICS IN THE HANDS OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS: A PROSPECTIVE AVENUE FOR COMMUNITY BASED ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE

African Journal of Health, Safety and Environment ◽

10.52417/ajhse.v2i2.160 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 63-70

Author(s):

N. A. Isabel ◽

O. I. Joshua ◽

A. E. Efe

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Benin City ◽

Amoxicillin Clavulanic Acid ◽

Fever Treatment ◽

Study Participants

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is high on the agenda of global health organizations with an increasing interest in community-based AMS initiatives, as this is where the majority of antibiotic use occurs. This study sought to evaluate the practice of community pharmacists toward antibiotic use and the likely need for AMS. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among registered community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. All study participants were duly informed on study objectives and informed consent was sought. The data obtained from the study were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22. Of the 101 pharmacists who participated in the study, 92 (91.1%) dispensed antibiotics without prescription. The most prescribed antibiotic is Ciprofloxacin 59(58.42%), followed by Amoxicillin 42 (41.58%) and Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid 41 (40.59%). Ninety-six (95%) of the pharmacists use antibiotics agents as an adjunct in Typhoid fever treatment, and 78(77.2%) of them use it as an adjunct in Malaria treatment. Cost 32 (31.68%) is the most common reason for dispensing antibiotics without laboratory investigation and physician’s consultation. Most (93.1%) pharmacists agree that they need training on antimicrobial stewardship practice. The antibiotic prescription pattern among community pharmacists was high, the possibility of antibiotic misuse in the hands of community pharmacists without appropriate guidelines cannot be overlooked. This emphasizes the need for the inclusion of community pharmacies in antimicrobial stewardship programs.

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Community Pharmacists’ Perceptions towards the Misuse and Abuse of Pregabalin: A Cross-Sectional Study from Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9101281 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1281

Author(s):

Sultan M. Alshahrani ◽

Khalid Orayj ◽

Ali M. Alqahtani ◽

Mubarak A. Algahtany

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Male Dominance ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

First Line ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

First Line Therapy ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Pregabalin is a first-line therapy for neuropathic pain and for chronic pain. It has abuse potential. This study was conducted to assess community pharmacists’ perceptions towards pregabalin abuse and misuse in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia, and identify predictors and associated factors. A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire following a self-administrative study was conducted across community pharmacies in the Aseer region (Abha, Khamis Mushait, Mahayel, Sarat Abeeda, Ahad-Rufaida, and Bishah). A total of 206 respondents from community pharmacists participated in the study. Over the last six months, 136 respondents (66.0%) suspected pregabalin abuse in community pharmacies; male dominance in pregabalin abusers was also recorded (n = 165, 80.1%). Additionally, 40 (19.4%) respondents stated that a prescription was not issued for pregabalin demands. Over half (61.7%) of community pharmacists recorded an increased change in pregabalin abuse compared to the previous year. This is the first study to explore pharmacists’ perceptions in the community of the Aseer region towards customers’ misuse and abuse of pregabalin. Further monitoring and regulations on the prescribing and procurement of pregabalin are needed to avoid abuse.

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Evaluation of Antibiotic Supply Decisions by Community Pharmacists in Thailand: A Vignette Study

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10020154 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 154

Author(s):

Sisira Donsamak ◽

Marjorie C. Weiss ◽

Dai N. John

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Infections ◽

Acute Diarrhoea ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Case Vignettes ◽

A Chain

In Thailand, antibiotics are available lawfully from community pharmacies without a prescription. Inappropriate supply of antibiotics from Thai community pharmacies to the public for common, self-limiting diseases has been reported. The study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of antibiotics selected by community pharmacists in Thailand in response to vignettes. A cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists across Thailand was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire including nine case vignettes with three conditions, namely upper respiratory infections (URIs), acute diarrhoea and simple wounds. A total of 208 questionnaires were completed and analysed (20.8% response rate). In response to vignettes relating to URIs, 50.8% of pharmacist recommendations were not in accordance with antibiotic guidelines. Inappropriate recommendations for diarrhoea and wound cases were 20.8% and 16.7%, respectively. A higher proportion of younger pharmacists, those with less experience, Pharm. D. graduate pharmacists, employee pharmacists and those pharmacists who worked in a chain pharmacy were more likely to recommend appropriate antibiotic treatment in response to the vignettes (p < 0.05). These findings will be useful to promote educational interventions for community pharmacists regarding common infectious disease management in order to improve appropriate antibiotic use.

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Community Pharmacists’ Practice, Awareness, and Beliefs about Drug Disposal in Saudi Arabia

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9070823 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 823

Author(s):

Sultan Alghadeer ◽

Mohammed N. Al-Arifi

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Environmental Damage ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Age Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Take Back ◽

Medication Disposal

The awareness among Saudi people regarding the good and safe practice of drug disposal is fairly low. Community pharmacists’ potential toward drugs disposal directions and practice are not emphasized enough. Therefore, a cross sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to evaluate the practice, awareness and beliefs of community pharmacists about disposal of unused drugs. Out of 360 subjects who participated in the study, more than 70% returned the unused drugs to the pharmaceutical distributors. Around 80% of the participants confirmed the risk of environmental damage due to the inappropriate disposal of drugs, and 87.5% of them held themselves responsible for preventing such risk. Approximately 85% of surveyed pharmacists believed community pharmacies to be an appropriate location for the collection of unused drugs. There was no significant association between the community pharmacists’ age group and years of practice as community pharmacists with either the awareness of unused medication disposal on environmental hazards, or the beliefs about the appropriate location for collecting unused drugs (p > 0.05). The awareness and proactive accountable responsibility, along with community pharmacists’ belief of appointing pharmacies to collect unused drugs, strongly support the institution of drug take-back programs.

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Knowledge, attitude, and practices about contraceptive in Western Rajasthan, India

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20182882 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. 2786

Author(s):

Gayatri Aseri ◽

Sudesh Agrawal

Keyword(s):

Tertiary Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Over The Counter ◽

Medical College ◽

Study Population ◽

Knowledge Attitude And Practice ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Background: This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraceptive methods among women attending a tertiary care hospital in Western Rajasthan.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, PBM and the associated group of hospitals, attached to Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Total 500 married women between age group 15-49 yrs were included. These all women interviewed using a structured questionnaire after approval of the hospital’s ethical committee.Results: Total 500 women interviewed for their knowledge, attitude, and practices about contraception. Out of which, 402 (80.4%) women had some knowledge of at least one contraception method at the time of the study. The most common sources of information about contraception were husband and family member. Amongst the various contraceptives most commonly known was condom (78.4%). Only 265 (53%) women were practicing contraception at present. Most commonly used contraceptive was condom (40.8%). The most common reason for the non-practice of contraception was need of more child or male child in 34.8% families followed by opposition from in-laws (12.4%).Conclusions: Literacy was positively associated with family planning related knowledge and practices. Preconception knowledge and practices about contraception are poor in our study population. Many of the women were getting MTP pills over the counter without consulting to health care persons and then later presents with complications.

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Team Communication on Tasks Performed in Blood Pressure Clinics in Community Pharmacies

Journal of Pharmacy Technology ◽

10.1177/8755122519872697 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 10-15

Author(s):

Shih-Ying H. Hsu ◽

Monica J. Hwang ◽

Jeanine K. Mount

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Survey Method ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Team Communication ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Intervention Community ◽

Adherence Monitoring ◽

Study Participants

Background: To successfully deliver pharmacy services, pharmacists and technicians need to work as a team and have effective communication. Objectives: To measure the amount of communication between community pharmacists and their technicians during monthly blood pressure (BP) clinics. Methods: Cross-sectional survey method was used to assess the amount of communication pharmacists and technicians had on each task. Study participants were pharmacist-technician pairs (teams) from 10 intervention community pharmacies in the Team Education and Adherence Monitoring (TEAM) trial. Each team provided services designed to improve BP among hypertensive African American patients. Thirteen specific tasks were identified as essential in providing monthly BP clinics, and they were being performed by either the pharmacist or technician. At the end of the trial, each pharmacist and technician were asked to report his/her perception of discussion levels that occurred for each task. The level of team communication was summarized for each task (task-specific) and for each team (team-specific). Results: For task-specific communication, 3 teams had communication regarding pharmacist tasks and 5 teams engaged in communication for technician tasks. More communication was reported for newly developed technician tasks in the BP clinic. For team-specific communication, 2 teams reported no communication on any task, and another 2 teams reported having communication on all the tasks. Overall, pharmacy teams showed different levels of communication in this study. Conclusion: The amounts of communication between pharmacists and technicians were found to vary for different tasks and teams. This suggests that the nature of tasks and the unique dynamics existing in each pharmacy team could influence pharmacist-technician communication.

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The Needs and Resources of Drug Information at Community Pharmacies in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/8310636 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dessalegn Asmelashe Gelayee ◽

Gashaw Binega Mekonnen ◽

Mequanent Kassa Birarra

Keyword(s):

Treatment Guidelines ◽

Drug Information ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Information Resources ◽

National Standard ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Cross Sectional

Background. Community pharmacists are in a key position to provide information on drugs and thus promote the rational use of drugs. Objectives. The present study was designed to determine the needs and resources of drug information in community pharmacies. Methods. A prospective institution based cross-sectional study was carried out and data were collected on 48 community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Results. Almost all pharmacists (N=47, 97.9%) often receive drug related queries and these were mainly from consumers (N=41, 85.4%). While most questions relate to drug price (N=29, 60.4%) and dosage (N=21, 43.8%), the information resources mainly referred to were drug package inserts and national standard treatment guidelines. However, limited availability of information resources as well as limited ability to retrieve relevant information influenced the practice of pharmacists. Female pharmacists claimed better use of different information resources than males (P<0.05). Conclusions. Community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, are often accessed for drug related information. But there are limitations in using up to date and most reliable resources. Therefore, intervention aimed at improving pharmacists’ access to and evaluation of drug information is urgently needed.

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Self-Medication Practices with Antibiotics and Antimalarials Among Sudanese Undergraduate University Students

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1345/aph.1k068 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 41 (7-8) ◽

pp. 1249-1255 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Abdelmoneim I Awad ◽

Idris B Eltayeb

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Private University ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Age Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Self Medication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Undergraduate University Students ◽

Study Population

Background: In many developing countries, up to 60–80% of health problems are self-medicated. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and/or antimalarials and identify factors promoting such use among university students in Sudan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, using a pretested questionnaire on a sample of 1300 students selected from 5 universities in Khartoum State, Sudan. Results: Eight hundred ninety-one (79.5%; 95% CI 77.0 to 81.8) students from the study population had used antibiotics or antimalarials without a prescription within 1–2 months prior to the study. Four hundred ninety (55%; 95% CI 51.7 to 58.3) of the respondents stated that they had used antibiotics, 39 (4.4%; 95% CI 3.2 to 6.0) had used antimalarials, and 362 (40.6%; 95% CI 37.4 to 43.9) had used both. Overall, self-medication with antibiotics or antimalarials was significantly more common among students 21 years of age or older compared with those 20 years of age or younger (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.09; p = 0.004) and among students attending private universities compared with those attending public universities (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.95; p = 0.028). Self-medication with antibiotics followed a simitar pattern, which was significantly more common among students 21 years of age or older (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.81; p = 0.03) and private university respondents (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.02; p = 0.003). Self-medication with antimalarials was found to be significantly less common among females (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.97; p = 0.028) and higher among the 21 years or older age group (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.42 to 2.40; p < 0.001), The most common reason indicated for self-medication was the respondents’ previous experiences with similar ailments. The main source of drugs was community pharmacies. Conclusions: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics/antimalarials among undergraduate university students in Khartoum State is high. Our findings highlight the need for planning interventions to promote the judicious use of antibiotics/antimicrobials.

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Assessment of Knowledge and Practice about Mosquito Born Disease among Rural Population of Kancheepuram District, Tamilnadu

Asian Journal of Medicine and Health ◽

10.9734/ajmah/2019/v14i130092 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

V. Pragadeesh Raja ◽

G. Ravivarman ◽

E. Venmathi ◽

M. Salomi

Keyword(s):

Rural Area ◽

Social Factors ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Population ◽

Knowledge And Practice ◽

Breeding Place ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Background: Mosquito are one of the well known causing many diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Lymphatic Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis. They are more prevalent in rural area due to various social factors and lack of knowledge. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge of people and their practices regarding mosquito borne diseases in rural areas of Kancheepuram district, Tamilnadu. Materials and Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among the residents of Pooncheri, Kancheepuram district of Tamilnadu, between the period of August 2017 to September 2017 among 124 houses selected. After obtaining informed consent from the participants they were interviewed using a pretested semi structured questionnaire regarding their knowledge and practices on mosquito borne diseases. Results: The study reported that in case of any symptoms suspected to be of mosquito born disease majority of the study population 82.2% reported consulting doctors. The most preferred mode of prevention of mosquito bite was usage of spray (33.9%) in the breeding place followed by usage of electric repellents (31.4%). Conclusion: The study indicated that majority of the study population were unaware bout the prevention practices despite knowing about these diseases. Thus, arises the need for effective propagation in the rural area about prevention strategies of mosquito born disease through mass education and social media.

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Prevalence of nomophobia among the undergraduate medical students of Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20184833 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (12) ◽

pp. 5455 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Harish B. R. ◽

Bharath J.

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Study Population ◽

And Gender ◽

Study Participants

Background: Nomophobia (no mobile phobia), is the fear an individual gets if he is out of mobile phone contact due to no network, has run out of balance or run out of battery; the persons gets anxious, which adversely affects the concentration level of the person. Since the younger generation is the latest consumer of the mobile phones and the under 25 year age group in professional colleges like medical colleges use mobile phones quite frequently this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of nomophobia in the undergraduate students of Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences during May 2018 to June 2018. All undergraduate students were included i.e. same as study population (n=450). Data collection was done during June 2018 using structured questionnaire.Results: Mean age of the study participants was 20.1±1.3 years. Majority of the study population were hostelites. Approximate amount of money spent on last recharge/last postpaid bill was INR 354.1±185.0. Main reasons for using smartphones were ‘to call family members’, ‘using internet for academics’ and ‘for social networking’. Prevalence of moderate to severe nomophobia among the study population was 99.0%. No statistical significant difference was observed between gender and nomophobia.Conclusions: Prevalence of nomophobia among undergraduate medical student was 99.0% and majority had moderate level of nomophobia. There was no association between nomophobia and gender, place of present residence, amount of money spent on last recharge.

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