A cross-sectional survey on community pharmacists readiness to fight COVID-19 in a developing country: knowledge, attitude, and practice in Lebanon

Southern Med Review

article

Zeenny, Rony M.¹  Hallit, Souheil²  Salameh, Pascale²  Dimassi, Ahmad⁶  Sacre, Hala²  El Khoury, Ghada⁷  Hajj, Aline⁸  Farah, Rita²  Hajj, Hind⁶  Lahoud, Nathalie²  Akel, Marwan⁶ 

[1] Pharmacy Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center;INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique;Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK);Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University;University of Nicosia Medical School;School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University;School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University;Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University;Laboratory of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Quality Control of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University;CERIPH: Center for Research in Public Health, Pharmacoepidemiology Surveillance Unit, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University

关键词: COVID-19;    Knowledge;    Attitude;    Practice;    Protective measures;    Patient service;    Community pharmacy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40545-021-00327-6

学科分类：药理学

来源: BioMed Central

【 摘 要 】

Lebanon, a developing Middle Eastern country, was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred amid a severe national economic crisis. Community pharmacists are responsible for dispensing appropriate medications and products in addition to counseling, informing and educating the public, and promoting disease prevention and infection control. This study aimed to assess community pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practice towards the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate behavior changes and safety measures. An anonymous and standardized online questionnaire in English was disseminated via social media platforms to Lebanese community pharmacists. The questionnaire consisted of 95 items designed as Likert-scales and multiple-choice questions divided into four different sections: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge-based, attitude-based, and pharmacy practice questions. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the demographic characteristics, and indices were created for knowledge, attitude, and practice by computing the correct answers for each section. A total of 310 questionnaires were completed. Around 61% have expressed their fear of getting infected with COVID-19 due to occupational exposure. The respondents were able to answer 80–90% of the knowledge-based questions of the survey. A more careful/anxious attitude, but not knowledge, was associated with overall better practice (p = 0.03). Also, respondents stated that they are dispensing protective equipment items such as masks (87%), gloves (60%), and sanitizers (77%) in small quantities due to limited availability. Our findings revealed an adequate level of knowledge and good practice towards COVID-19 among Lebanese community pharmacists. Their fears of contracting the virus and compromising the safety of those around them are justified. However, their supply of protective equipment is limited.

【 授权许可】

Unknown