Determinants of community pharmacy utilization in Ghana

Abstract

Objective To examine the determinants of community pharmacy utilization and factors influencing an individual's decision to use community pharmacy as first option for primary care services. Method A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in the Ga West district of Ghana. A total of 497 adults (18 years and above) were chosen using a three-stage cluster random sampling technique. Probit regression models were used to estimate the determinants of use of community pharmacy in general, and use of community pharmacy as first option for primary care services. Key findings Out of 497 respondents, 415 indicated that they had used community pharmacies within the last 12 months prior to the study, while 82 indicated that they had not used community pharmacies within the same time frame. The regression results revealed that utilization of community pharmacy services was influenced by age, presence of minor ailment, distance to the nearest pharmacy, employment status, income, location and perceptions concerning pharmacists' roles. Additionally, factors influencing an individual's decision to use community pharmacy services as first option for primary care services were found to include perceptions concerning pharmacists' role, privacy, distance and waiting time.Conclusion The findings of the study have significant implications for policy formulation, aimed at improving community pharmacy services utilization and consequently improving the quality of services offered, both in community pharmacies and mainstream hospitals.

Determinants of community pharmacy utilisation among the adult population in Malaysia: findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019

“…Contrary to other studies [ 14 ] which indicated positive association between higher income levels and healthcare utilisation, this study did not find association between community pharmacy utilisation and household income.…”

“…Community pharmacy is largely accessible to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and the healthcare practitioner in the pharmacy is easily approachable for advice on minor health problems. As such, this study also found that respondents with health problems in the past two weeks prior to the interview were more likely to use community pharmacy services compared to those without health problems; a finding consistent with existing literature which suggests a correlation between health problems and community pharmacy utilisation [ 14 ]. Community pharmacists were involved with management of minor illnesses to reduce outpatient visits in developed nations [ 44 – 46 ].…”

“…A cross-sectional household survey conducted in Ghana reported age, the presence of minor ailments, distance to the nearest pharmacy, employment status, income, locality, and perceptions concerning the role of pharmacists as the main factors that influenced community pharmacy utilisation [ 14 ]. In developed countries, the principal reason for visiting a community pharmacy is to fill a prescription [ 15 – 18 ], followed by the purchase of items other than medicine [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Systematic review on the effects of the physical and social aspects of community pharmacy spaces on service users and staff

“… 51 The dominance of privacy as an issue in pharmacy health service is an important one affecting an individual’s decision to use community pharmacy as the first point of contact. 90 …”

Variety of Drugs Sold Without Prescription for Commonly Presenting Complaints in Rural and Urban Pharmacies of Faisalabad District

“…Studies have revealed that the multidisciplinary approach and expertise are key factors for achieving ultimate population health goals [2] . In order to achieve the aim of health for all, it is optimum for different health professionals to work in collaboration for fulfilling the health needs of the patient [3] . Over the last few decades, pharmacies are have been evolving to promote pharmaceutical care and standard provision of care for patients [4] .…”