Anxiety levels of community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Istanbul

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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Uncertain crisis time affects psychosocial dimensions in beta-thalassemia patients during Covid-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/13591053211049942 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135910532110499

Author(s):

Chiara Cerami ◽

Gaia Chiara Santi ◽

Irene Sammartano ◽

Zelia Borsellino ◽

Liana Cuccia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Beta Thalassemia ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Key Factors ◽

Chronic Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Life Habits ◽

Anxiety Levels ◽

Anxiety Depression

Psychosocial variables are key factors influencing the delicate equilibrium of chronic patients during crisis time. In this study, we explored distress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, coping strategies, and changes in life habits in 43 beta-thalassemia patients and 86 controls during Covid-19 pandemic. Patients showed higher anxiety levels and a predominant transcendent coping profile compared to controls. Patients significantly differed from controls in outdoor habits. Social isolation and habits changes in uncertain life-threaten situations as Covid-19 pandemic are particularly detrimental in fragile beta-thalassemia patients. Structured support interventions are needed to promote well-being in the Covid-19 era.

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Involvement of Community Pharmacists in Public Health Services in Asir Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross‐sectional Study

International Journal of Clinical Practice ◽

10.1111/ijcp.14940 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mona Almanasef ◽

Dalia Almaghaslah ◽

Geetha Kandasamy ◽

Rajalakshimi Vasudevan ◽

Sadia Batool

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Health Services ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Public Health Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Asir Region

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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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