Assessment of Oral Health Knowledge of Pharmacists in Two Tertiary Hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health is defined as a state of being free of mouth and facial pain, oral infections and sores, and other diseases that limit an individual’s capacity for biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial well-being. This study assessed the knowledge, barriers, and facilitators of oral health knowledge among Pharmacists in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 163 pharmacists in two tertiary hospitals in Enugu, South East, Nigeria. Data on sociodemographic profiles, knowledge of oral health care, barriers, and facilitators of oral health knowledge was collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were more female 96 (58.9%) than male pharmacists 67 (41.1%). Their mean age was 32.98 ± 8.33 years. The majority of respondents, 56 (34.4%) graduated between 2010 and 2019, and 44 (27%) had additional qualifications. Many of the pharmacists 88 (54%) believed that oral health is part of general health. Also, 107 (65.6%) of the respondents had a good knowledge of oral health while 56 (34.4%) had poor knowledge. There was a significant association between academic qualification (P = 0.04) and having good knowledge of oral health care among pharmacists with those with additional qualifications having better knowledge than the others. Poor creation of oral health awareness by dentists 106 (65.0%) was considered as the main barrier to having good oral health knowledge by the pharmacists. Conclusion: More than half of the pharmacists had good knowledge of oral health and academic qualification was associated with having a good knowledge of oral health care among pharmacists in the study population.