Impact of COVID-19 on Pharmaceutical Care Services and the Role of Community Pharmacists: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019, also known as 2019-nCoV cluster of acute respiratory illness with unknown causes, which occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in China, was first reported to World Health Organization country office as of December 30, 2019. People with medical illness are at a higher risk for coronavirus disease, and the pandemic influences mental health and causes psychological problems, particularly in those with chronic medical illness. Hence, this study aimed to assess coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety and the knowledge on its preventive measures among patients with medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and Arsi zones Objective: To assess coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety and knowledge toward coronavirus disease 2019 preventive measures among patients with chronic medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and West Arsi zones. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected hospitals of Bale and West Arsi zones, Southeast Ethiopia. A total of 633 study participants were included in this study, and data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A descriptive summary was computed. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the associated factors. Results: Overall, the prevalence of anxiety among chronic patients in this study was 6.3% (95% confidence interval: 4.6%–8.5%) and 420 (66.35%) had good knowledge on the preventive measures of coronavirus disease 2019. Factors significantly associated with anxiety among chronic patients were being educated (95% confidence interval: adjusted odds ratio = 0.26 (0.09–0.74)), being male (95% confidence interval: 2.69 (1.11–6.53)), and use of mask (95% confidence interval: 0.11 (0.05–0.26)). Conclusion: The prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety among chronic patients was high and being males, uneducated, and not using face mask was significantly associated with coronavirus disease 2019-related anxiety.

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“…Another problem that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic was shortage of drugs. 5 This can also result in chronic patients developing anxiety.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19-related anxiety and knowledge toward its preventive measures among patients with chronic medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and West Arsi zones, Ethiopia

et al. 2022

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“…The current pandemic has impacted all aspects of life and caused substantial alteration to healthcare services worldwide. 21 Although pharmaceutical care has been considerably evolved to alleviate the pandemic consequences and reduce the burden on healthcare systems in many parts of the world, 21 little is known about what actually has changed in pharmaceutical care after COVID-19 in the UAE. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the role of UAE community and hospital pharmacists in patient safety, medication dispensing, and public health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What has changed in the pharmaceutical care after COVID-19: Pharmacists’ perspective

Kharaba¹,

Moutraji²,

Khawaldeh³

et al. 2022

PharmPract

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Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the impact of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the roles of hospital and community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to assess how COVID-19 has affected their roles concerning medication dispensing and review, patient education, and telepharmacy services. Methods: This was a face-to-face questionnaire-based study. A convenient sampling technique was used to collect responses from 428 licensed community and hospital pharmacists across the UAE. The study tool is a structured questionnaire. Data were cleaned and analysed through SPSS Version 26. Results: In terms of medication dispensing practice, 314 (73.4%) and 210 (49.1%) of pharmacists reported an increase in the dispensing of over the counter (OTC) medicines and antibiotics after COVID-19, respectively. Of the pharmacists included in the study, 380 (88.8%) and 328 (76.6%) reported an elevation in the engagement in patient education and medication review after COVID-19, respectively. On the other hand, 247 (57.7%) and 179 (41.8%) of pharmacists reported that the frequency of their pharmaceutical interventions and physicians’ acceptance of those interventions increased after COVID-19, which was significantly associated (p=0.01) with pharmacists’ ability to intervene on the dosage regimen of COVID-19 patient. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical care in the UAE has evolved after COVID-19, particularly in the aspects of medications dispensing, telepharmacy, and patient-centered services..

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“…Non-communicable diseases currently need special attention in control and prevention due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic disease which is a highly contagious, global pandemic currently affecting people of all ages and sectors without any discrimination. 11 , 12 Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on availability of essential medicine for non-communicable diseases and disruption of supply among public hospitals of illu Ababor and buno bedelle zone. In the current study, out of the total invited health professionals and key informants, only 75% were interested in being involved in the study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of COVID-19 on Pharmaceutical Shortages and Supply Disruptions for Non-Communicable Diseases Among Public Hospitals of South West, Oromia, Ethiopia

Jifar¹,

Geneti²,

Dubale³

2022

JMDH

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Background COVID-19 is a pandemic disease that has led to inequitable supply and shortages of essential medicines worldwide due to decreased production capacity, export bans, and national stockpiling which are affecting the global pharmaceutical supply chain. Access to essential pharmaceuticals is dependent on well-functioning supply chain systems that move medicines from the manufacturer to end users at service delivery point. Objective To assess impact of Covid-19 pandemic disease on pharmaceutical shortages and supply disruptions for non-communicable diseases among public hospitals of South West, Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods and Materials A multi-institutional cross sectional study design was employed. Quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized concurrently to gather data from four public hospital warehouses, dispensaries, patients, and local health authorities from March 1–30, 2021 in Ilu-Ababor and Buno-Bedelle Zones, Oromia, Ethiopia. Data were analyzed by using SPSS (version 23.0). A semi-structured interview guide was used to gather qualitative information from key informants from DTC members, patients, and local health authorities and finally analyzed through thematic approach. Results From six public hospitals in the two zones; cost of medicine increased more in Dedesa hospital compared to the other public hospital found in that zone and the effect of Covid-19 on essential medicines used for treatment of non-communicable diseases was less in Darimu Hospital. Stock status of PFSA and transportation were the major challenges during the procurement process due to Covid-19 pandemic disease. Among the EMs assessed at public hospitals, drugs used for cardiovascular diseases were out of stock for more than 90 days while anti-asthma drugs were out of stock for less than 40 days. Conclusion The availability of essential medicine was low and there was also poor inventory management practice in some of the public hospitals during Covid-19 pandemic in the study period.

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Impact of COVID-19 on Pharmaceutical Care Services and the Role of Community Pharmacists: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia

Cited by 13 publications

References 30 publications

COVID-19-related anxiety and knowledge toward its preventive measures among patients with chronic medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and West Arsi zones, Ethiopia

COVID-19-related anxiety and knowledge toward its preventive measures among patients with chronic medical illness on follow-up in public hospitals of Bale, East Bale, and West Arsi zones, Ethiopia

What has changed in the pharmaceutical care after COVID-19: Pharmacists’ perspective

The Impact of COVID-19 on Pharmaceutical Shortages and Supply Disruptions for Non-Communicable Diseases Among Public Hospitals of South West, Oromia, Ethiopia

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