Community pharmacists' knowledge and dispensing recommendations for treatment of acute diarrhoea in Trinidad, West Indies

Karim, Rezaul; Ramdahin, P.; Boodoo, J.R.; Kochhar, Anjali; Pereira, Lexley M Pinto

doi:10.1111/j.1368-5031.2004.0095.x

Cited by 15 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…Regarding referral, we found that interventions have an impact on improving the awareness and practice of staff in referring clients to a health facility or a physician, when needed. Although the number of pharmacy staff who recommended SCs to visit a physician was limited (approximately one of three after intervention), it was still substantially higher than those reported in a number of studies conducted in Vietnam and other developing countries, which demonstrated rates ranging from 3% to 17% [14], [15], [26], [27]. One factor that could partly explain the better results found in our study, and also differentiate our interventions from others, was supportive supervision.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

“…Concerns over the quality of advice, communication, and information given at community pharmacies for common childhood illness, including diarrhea, has been raised by researchers across countries [8], [31], [32]. A number of studies have suggested that time constraints; lack of information, knowledge, and communication skills; client expectations; the motivation to maximize profit; and the negative impact of a dissatisfied customer were possible driving forces leading to poor case management and counseling at pharmacies [27], [29], [33]. The average time pharmacy staff spent per client visit found in our study (2.4 – 2.6 minutes) was substantially lower than that of a study conducted in a developed country (4.13 minutes) in which researchers concluded that the pharmacist's questioning is inadequate and needs improvement [10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Improving Pharmacy Staff Knowledge and Practice on Childhood Diarrhea Management in Vietnam: Are Educational Interventions Effective?

Pham

Byrkit²,

Pham³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundIn many developing countries, private pharmacies play an important role in providing health information and services to local communities for common health issues. The aim of this study was to ascertain medium-term impact of educational interventions on knowledge and practice of pharmacy staff regarding management of childhood diarrhea in Vietnam.MethodsThis was a pre- and post-intervention study with 32 and 44 months difference from the time of the baseline survey to the conclusion of trainings and the time of the end-line survey, respectively. Interventions included in-class training for pharmacy staff, printed materials at the pharmacy, and supportive supervision. Knowledge/reported practice and actual practice of pharmacy staff were measured before and after interventions.ResultsAfter interventions, significant improvements (p<0.01) were observed for all indexes related to pharmacy staff's knowledge about childhood diarrhea; for instance, 31% and 60% of surveyed staff asked about weight of the child and accompanying symptoms of childhood diarrhea, respectively, an increase from 11% and 45% at the baseline. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) was the most frequently reported product recommended (97% to 99%), but probiotics and antidiarrheals were the products most frequently prescribed at pharmacies. Public health facilities remained the preferred choice for referrals from pharmacies, but the use of private clinics was increasing. Consultations and advice provided to caregivers also improved, but considerable gaps between knowledge and actual practice of staff in real pharmacy settings remained.ConclusionsEducational interventions were effective in improving pharmacy staff knowledge and practice regarding management of childhood diarrhea. Knowledge and actual practice of staff in real pharmacy settings did not always correlate; there is need for a stronger regulatory and law enforcement system. Interventions to improve pharmacy practice in developing countries should be focused, comprehensive, and evidence-based.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Pharmacy Staff Knowledge and Practice on Childhood Diarrhea Management in Vietnam: Are Educational Interventions Effective?

Pham

Byrkit²,

Pham³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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“…In accordance with a study conducted in Belgium [11], it was seen that the pharmacists asked few questions before suggesting an appropriate treatment. Similar to other studies [12,13], questions about the medication history of the patient, which can be used to rule out drug-induced diarrhea, were also not asked by either pharmacists or pharmacy technicians in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the attitude of community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians towards diarrhea: A simulated patient study in Turkey

Sancar¹,

Tezcan²,

Okuyan³

et al. 2015

Trop. J. Pharm Res

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“…This low recommendation of ORT shows that there is still need to renew the campaign on the use of ORT amongst physicians, pharmacists, other health care professionals and the entire community. Thirty-eight pharmacists (26.4%) explained how to prepare, store and administer the solution to the child; unlike in Trinidad where 90% gave full explanation on the preparation, storage and use of the solution 14. Explanation on preparation, storage and use of the ORT is vital to treatment success.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Observation of actual practice or review of prescribing records is essential 14. The opposition to the use of ORT alone in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children by 54.4% of pharmacists shows disregard to the guideline stipulated by WHO.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of acute diarrhea in children by community pharmacists in Lagos, Nigeria

Ogbo

Aina

Aderemi-Williams

2014

Pharmacy Practice (Internet)

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*Background: Acute diarrhea in children leads to dehydration and death if not appropriately managed. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends treating diarrhea with oral rehydration therapy (ORT), fluids and foods. Proper management is hinged on accurate assessment of patients to identify the acute watery diarrhea. Objective: To compare the knowledge and attitude of community pharmacists in the management of acute diarrhea in children with their observed practice. Methods: This study was carried out using two instruments: structured self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge and attitude of community pharmacists in the management of acute diarrhea in children and simulated patient visits to evaluate assessment of patients, recommendation of products and instructions on feeding and fluid intake. The simulated patient visits were done in 186 pharmacies in the city of Lagos, Nigeria. Results: The study reveals that the knowledge and attitude of community pharmacists in the management of acute diarrhea in children was different from their observed practice. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). During the simulations, 23% carried out appropriate assessment before recommending any products, and 15% recommended ORT alone. Although information to the pharmacists indicated non-dysentery, non-cholera, acute watery diarrhea, antibiotics and antidiarrheals were irrationally recommended and these were the mainstay of symptoms' management in practice. Questionnaire data revealed that 24% of pharmacists knew the correct instructions to give on food and fluid intake during diarrhea, whereas 8% followed WHO guideline on food and fluid intake during the visits. Conclusions: Assessment of patients to determine acute diarrhea was inadequate. Observed practice in managing acute diarrhea in children was inappropriate and significantly different from their claims in the questionnaire. The recommendation of ORT was scanty and advice on food and fluid intake was inadequate and sometimes inappropriate. This study shows that only 15% of community pharmacists managed acute diarrhea in children according to the WHO guidelines.

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Community pharmacists' knowledge and dispensing recommendations for treatment of acute diarrhoea in Trinidad, West Indies

Cited by 15 publications

References 3 publications

Improving Pharmacy Staff Knowledge and Practice on Childhood Diarrhea Management in Vietnam: Are Educational Interventions Effective?

Improving Pharmacy Staff Knowledge and Practice on Childhood Diarrhea Management in Vietnam: Are Educational Interventions Effective?

Assessment of the attitude of community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians towards diarrhea: A simulated patient study in Turkey

Management of acute diarrhea in children by community pharmacists in Lagos, Nigeria

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