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Harahsheh MM, Mukattash TL, Al-Shatnawi S, Abu-Farha R, Abuhammad S, D'Arcy D, Jarab A. Community Pharmacists' Current Practice and Educational Needs in Breastfeeding Support in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Hum Lact 2024; 40:132-142. [PMID: 37994528 DOI: 10.1177/08903344231206394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving breastfeeding practices is a worldwide priority. Pharmacists have the opportunity to actively promote breastfeeding and educate parents as well as the general public about its benefits. RESEARCH AIMS The aims of this study are to investigate Jordanian pharmacists' present breastfeeding support practices and perceptions regarding their need for education and training in breastfeeding support. METHODS To examine sociodemographic characteristics of community pharmacists in Jordan and their current breastfeeding support practices and educational needs, a descriptive cross-sectional online (self-report) survey was conducted. Through social media, pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Jordan were recruited between August 2021 and February 2022. The level of breastfeeding support participants had been provided with was measured using eight items in a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 5 (Always) to 1 (Never). Each participant self-reported the frequency of advice/information given to breastfeeding women in each of these areas. Univariate and multivariable linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with the level of breastfeeding support. RESULTS Participants (N = 381) reported a high level of breastfeeding support, but expressed a need for training and education for further improvement. The breastfeeding support score of female participants was found to be 0.12 higher than that of males (Beta = 0.12, p = .02), 0.16 higher in married participants compared to non-married participants (Beta = 0.16, p = .03), and 0.10 higher in participants working in rural areas compared to those working in urban areas (Beta = 0.10, p = .04). CONCLUSION While community pharmacists generally report a high level of breastfeeding support, our findings revealed demographic differences. Attention to specific areas of need might enhance what pharmacists could offer; however, additional research would be required to guide the specific educational content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mea'ad M Harahsheh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Tareq L Mukattash
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Samah Al-Shatnawi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Rana Abu-Farha
- Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sawsan Abuhammad
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Deirdre D'Arcy
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anan Jarab
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
- Collage of Pharmacy, Al-Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab of Emirates
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Barakat M, Thiab S, Farha RA, Alshweiki AO, Thaher R, Alsughaier A, Malaeb D. An evaluation of pharmacists' general attitudes, knowledge, and phobias regarding medications that include corticosteroids: a cross-sectional study. J Pharm Health Care Sci 2024; 10:8. [PMID: 38303076 PMCID: PMC10832149 DOI: 10.1186/s40780-024-00329-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corticosteroid-containing medications are widely accessible in various forms, including topical, injectable, and inhaled formulations. Due to uncertain safety profiles, healthcare providers, including pharmacists, often express apprehension when dispensing these drugs. This cross-sectional study assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and phobia of Jordanian pharmacists regarding corticosteroid-containing medications. METHODS Conducted through a self-administered online questionnaire. RESULTS the study reveals that dermatological conditions and respiratory disorders are the primary indications for prescribing corticosteroid-containing drugs. The most reported side effects among pharmacists' patients include increased appetite, diabetes, and skin thinning. Pharmacists generally exhibit acceptable knowledge, with a median score of 9.0 out of 11.0 (IQR = 3.0). Over two-thirds of pharmacists (69.9%) achieve a high knowledge score (Bloom's cut-off point ≥ 8.8). However, only 55.7% are aware that corticosteroids may induce mood changes. High phobia scores, particularly concerning increased blood pressure and osteoporosis risks, indicate pharmacist reservations in corticosteroid dispensing. Interestingly, pharmacists in rural areas display lower knowledge scores, while those working outside community pharmacies exhibit lower phobia scores compared to their counterparts in urban areas and community pharmacies, respectively. CONCLUSION Despite generally good knowledge levels, the study underscores high phobia scores among Jordanian pharmacists regarding corticosteroid dispensing, particularly due to concerns about blood pressure elevation and osteoporosis risks. This suggests a potential need for targeted educational interventions and support systems to enhance pharmacist confidence and optimize corticosteroid usage while minimizing associated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Barakat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
| | - Samar Thiab
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, 11931, Jordan
| | - Rana Abu Farha
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Anas O Alshweiki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Roa'a Thaher
- Medical Intern, Hamad Medical Corporation, Hamad, Qatar
| | | | - Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, P.O. Box 4184, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
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Alrasheedy AA. Trends, Capacity Growth, and Current State of Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: Findings and Implications of a 16-Year Retrospective Study. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2023; 16:2833-2847. [PMID: 38146313 PMCID: PMC10749569 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s443325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Community pharmacies provide access to medicines and pharmaceutical services. Consequently, adequate availability and sufficient workforce capacity must be ensured for effective healthcare delivery. This study assessed the community pharmacy sector in Saudi Arabia, including density, workforce capacity, and evolution from 2007 to 2022. Methods This retrospective study measured community pharmacy infrastructure and workforce capacity using international indicators and standardized measures, including community pharmacy and community pharmacist density per 10,000 people and ratio of community pharmacists per pharmacy. Several data sources and platforms were used to collect the data including the Ministry of Health, Saudi General Authority for Statistics, and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Results The number of community pharmacies increased by 89.30%, from 5466 in 2007 to 10,347 in 2022, and density increased from 2.25 to 3.22. However, density varied by region, from 3.97 to 1.95. The number of community pharmacists increased by 98.02%, from 10,932 in 2007 to 21,648 in 2022, and community pharmacist density increased from 4.51 to 6.73. However, the ratio of community pharmacists per pharmacy remained unchanged (2.0 in 2007 and 2.1 in 2022). Female pharmacists were first issued licenses to practice in community pharmacies in 2016, and the proportion of female pharmacists to total increased from 0.29% (n=42) in 2016 to 10.95% (n=2370) in 2022. The nationalization policy for community pharmacies was implemented in 2020, and the proportion of Saudi pharmacists increased from 3.08% (n=581) in 2019 to 19.90% (n=4306) in 2022, while proportion of expatriate pharmacists decreased from 96.92% (n=18,292) to 80.10% (n=17,342). Conclusion The findings showed that the community pharmacy sector in Saudi Arabia recently experienced substantial growth comparable to high-income countries. However, further improvements are required in some regions to increase community pharmacy density. Moreover, the ratio of pharmacists per pharmacy should be improved to meet the healthcare system needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alian A Alrasheedy
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, 51452, Saudi Arabia
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Oqal M, Hijazi B, Al Momany E, Alqudah A, Almomani BA, Alrosan AZ, Alshweiat A, Istaiteyeh R, Alnajjar R, Bani Younes Y, Al-karra'ein R. Perspective of biopharmaceutics knowledge and practice of pharmacy personnel toward the effect of medication route and medical procedure on nullifying fasting. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:101747. [PMID: 37638218 PMCID: PMC10448202 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In Ramadan, most of the dosing schedules for the patients are changed, and to ensure patient compliance to medications and to healthy life among patients, appropriate guidelines and educations are needed. This can be achieved by pharmacy personnel in all clinical settings who are recognized as biopharmaceutical experts and integral educators of medications. Aims This study aimed to identify the perspective knowledge of pharmacy personnel about effect of medication route and medical procedure on nullifying fasting in Ramadan and to determine the predictors of this knowledge. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan during March-April 2022. An internet-based self-administrated questionnaire on knowledge, and views was distributed using social media groups to the pharmacy personnel among different geographical areas in Jordan. A descriptive and univariate analysis were performed. Binary logistic regression was conducted to determine the predictors of knowledge including all variables with p < 0.20 on univariate analysis. Results A total of 1003 responses to the study questionnaire were collected and included in the analysis. The most common source that pharmacy personnel used to get information on medication intake and medical procedures during fasting in Ramadan was Fatwa (57.8%) followed by Islamic materials "books and brochures" (47.1%). The majority of respondents were knowledgeable about the effect of administration route of medication and medical procedures on nullifying fasting in Ramadan (greater than70%). The univariate analysis showed that more than half of respondents (56.1%) were considered knowledgeable, and the binary logistic regression analysis identified that both professional degree type and confidence of respondents to modify the patient's medication schedule as predictors for knowledge (OR = 1.791, 95% CI = 1.035-3.098, p = 0.037), (OR = 1.375, 95% CI = 1.04-1.817, p = 0.025), respectively. Conclusions Most of pharmacy personnel in Jordan are knowledgeable in biopharmaceutics principles and practice toward effect of medication route and medical procedure on nullifying fasting, and the identified predictors for this knowledge, can provide an opportunity to improve safe and effective use of medications and medical procedures during the holy month of Ramadan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Oqal
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Bushra Hijazi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Enaam Al Momany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Abdelrahim Alqudah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Basima A. Almomani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Amjad Z. Alrosan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Areen Alshweiat
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Rasha Istaiteyeh
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Roaa Alnajjar
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Yazeed Bani Younes
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Ro'ya Al-karra'ein
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
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Altawalbeh SM, Al-Khatib M, Almomani BA, Nuseir K, Al-Husein BA, Mukattash TL. Students' experiences and attitudes toward a newly developed simulation-based pharmaceutical care clinical rotation: A pre-post study design. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:808-814. [PMID: 37228318 PMCID: PMC10203740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to evaluate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students' experience with the newly developed simulation-based pharmaceutical care (PC) rotation by evaluating their knowledge and attitudes towards PC before and after the rotation. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to sixth year PharmD students enrolled in the clinical training rotation "Comprehensive Pharmaceutical Care" during the 2020/2021 academic semesters at Jordan University of Science and Technology's (JUST) Faculty of Pharmacy. Questionnaires were distributed before and after completing four experiential training weeks and consisted of three sections. The first section collected students' demographic details while the second and third sections evaluated students' knowledge about, and attitudes toward PC, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to describe and compare changes in students' knowledge and attitudes pre-and post-rotation. Results A total of 106 valid questionnaires were completed with a response rate of 99.07%. The rates of correct answers increased after the rotation with median total knowledge score increasing from 8 to 10 (out of 13, P value < 0.001). Significant improvements in students' understanding of aspects relating to the concept and process of PC, and the role of clinical pharmacist in PC provision, were shown post the simulation-based clinical rotation. Similarly, their attitudes toward performing PC were either improved or emphasized. In contrast results also revealed that specific aspects of the rotation require further refinement, such as the comprehensiveness of the PC process and responsibilities in providing PC. Conclusions PharmD students' understanding and attitudes toward PC were either improved or emphasized after the simulation-based PC rotation. This study highlights the value of simulation as a unique instructional technique that can assist educators to develop PC competencies for pharmacy students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoroq M. Altawalbeh
- Corresponding author at: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology; Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O.Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan.
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Abu-Farha R, Alzoubi KH, Alkhawaldeh R, Awwad O, Mukattash T, Alefishat E. Public satisfaction with community pharmacists roles as healthcare providers: a cross-sectional study from Jordan. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jphsr/rmac058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
In recent years, the responsibilities of community pharmacists have changed significantly. This study aimed to assess Jordanian public satisfaction with community pharmacists’ role as healthcare providers and to evaluate factors affecting their satisfaction level.
Methods
This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among the Jordanian public using a convenience sampling approach between May 2022 and June 2022. A link to the self-administered questionnaire was distributed via different social media platforms to be filled by participants willing to participate to evaluate their views and satisfaction of community pharmacists’ role as healthcare providers.
Key findings
In this study, 710 participants agreed to participate in this study. The participants had a median age of 36.0 years and 62.3% of them were female. The most frequent reason for visiting any community pharmacy was purchasing prescription medications (83.1%). The location of the pharmacy was the most selected factor influencing the choice of a particular community pharmacy by the study participants (89.3%). Results showed that respondents had an acceptable satisfaction score about pharmacists’ behaviours and roles (median score of 32.0 out of 40.0). More than 80% of the participants were satisfied with the language used by the pharmacist in discussing drug-related matters (84.9%), with the privacy maintained by the pharmacist while dealing with them (83.1%), with pharmacists’ professionalism in dealing with patients (82.3%), and with the positive relationship between pharmacists and patients (81.0%). Respondents with a higher level of education showed more satisfaction towards pharmacists’ services compared to those with lower levels of education (Beta = 0.088, P = 0.031).
Conclusions
This study demonstrated an acceptable general satisfaction of community pharmacists while conducting their job, yet their role still mainly involves dispensing prescriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Abu-Farha
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University , Amman , Jordan
| | - Karem H Alzoubi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, University of Sharjah , Sharjah , United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid , Jordan
| | - Rama Alkhawaldeh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University , Amman , Jordan
| | - Oriana Awwad
- Department Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan
| | - Tareq Mukattash
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid , Jordan
| | - Eman Alefishat
- Department Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University of Science and Technology , Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology , Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
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Assessing the knowledge, attitudes and barriers regarding health promotion of breast cancer among community pharmacists. Future Sci OA 2022; 8:FSO826. [PMID: 36874370 PMCID: PMC9979115 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2022-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim This study aimed to identify the perspective knowledge, attitudes, and barriers of community pharmacists in promoting breast cancer health. Methods An internet-based self-administrated questionnaire was distributed using social media groups to the community pharmacists in Jordan. Results A 76.7% of the pharmacists had insufficient knowledge score of breast cancer and 92.7% had positive attitude. Access to breast cancer educational materials was the major barrier to pharmacists. A significant association was found between pharmacists' knowledge and breast cancer educational materials being given to patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion Despite the low breast cancer knowledge score and stated barriers that could prevent actualizing community pharmacists' role, they had positive attitude toward educating patients about breast cancer health.
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Al-Taani GM, Ayoub NM. Community pharmacists’ routine provision of drug-related problem-reduction services. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267379. [PMID: 35507568 PMCID: PMC9067687 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The present study aimed to assess the degree of the provision of services for drug-related problems (DRPs) and the factors affecting provision within the community pharmacy setting in Irbid, a large city in Northern Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional survey was developed and administered to community pharmacists in Irbid, Jordan during the period from January to May 2017. The survey is composed of background and practice characteristics, services provided routinely by the community pharmacists to address DRPs, and barriers and facilitators for DRP-reduction services. A summated score quantifying the degree of DRP-reduction service provision was calculated, which included overall scores and scores for the different scales and domains. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and a multivariate linear regression model for factors associated with the high provision of DRP-reduction service. Results Two hundred community pharmacists out of 210 pharmacists approached completed the surveys yielding a response rate of 95.2%. The most frequent DRPs encountered within the routine practice in the community pharmacy were economic aspects (76.0%). The mean total score relating to different DRP-reduction services was 32.9 (58.8%) out of 56 as the maximum possible score. It was estimated that 28.2% of the responding pharmacists provided the service overall (scored more than 50% of the scale). For the assessment, intervention, and referral dimensions, similar percentages of providers of the services were achieved: 59.7%, 61.9%, and 49.0%, respectively. Lower rates of providers were achieved on the documentation scale (12.9%). The lack of recognition of the pharmacist role by physicians was the most commonly reported barrier to effective DRP-reduction services among community pharmacists (78.9%). The ability to receive external guidance was indicated by the majority of surveyed pharmacists (94.5%) as a potential facilitator to DRP-reduction services in this study. Predictors associated with high total scores were the presence of medical records for the patients in the pharmacy, patients contact the pharmacy using email, a high satisfaction in professional relationships with physicians, and pharmacists’ age. Conclusion Even though community pharmacists in this study have been shown to deliver certain activities to address DRPs to a high degree, the overall rate of DRPs services was suboptimal. Community pharmacists reported several barriers that should be taken into consideration to facilitate the role of community pharmacists in providing adequate DRP reduction services to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghaith M. Al-Taani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
- * E-mail:
| | - Nehad M. Ayoub
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
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Al-Taani GM, Al-Azzam S, Karasneh RA, Sadeq AS, Mazrouei NA, Bond SE, Conway BR, Aldeyab MA. Pharmacists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviors and Information Sources on Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Jordan. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020175. [PMID: 35203777 PMCID: PMC8868190 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious healthcare problem that affects public health globally. Appropriate understanding and knowledge of prudent antimicrobial use and resistance, along with providing evidence-based information sources, are needed for informed antibiotic prescribing practices. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, opportunity, motivation, behavior of pharmacists and their information sources regarding antibiotic use and resistance in Jordan. An online cross-sectional questionnaire was developed and administered to pharmacists during the period of July–September 2021. The survey is an adapted version of the validated European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) survey for antibiotic use and resistance. Pharmacists from all sectors (n = 384), of whom 276 (71.9%) were community pharmacists, completed an online questionnaire. While respondents scored highly (>87%) on knowledge on effective use, unnecessary use, and associated side effects of antibiotics, lower scores were recorded for knowledge on the spread of antibiotic resistance (52.9%). Pharmacists support easy access to guidelines on managing infections in 56% of cases, and easy access to materials advising prudent antibiotic use and resistance in 39.8% of cases. One-third of respondents (37.0%) reported no knowledge of any initiatives on antibiotic awareness and resistance. Pharmacists were aware (13.3%), unaware (36.2%), or unsure (50.5%) of the existence of a national antibiotic resistance action plan. Pharmacists indicated an interest in receiving more information on resistance to antibiotics (55.2%), medical conditions for which antibiotics are used (53.1%), how to use antibiotics (45.1%), prescribing of antibiotics (34.4%), and links between the health of humans, animals, and the environment (28.6%). Findings can inform antimicrobial stewardship with required interventions to improve antibiotic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghaith M. Al-Taani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan;
| | - Sayer Al-Azzam
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Reema A. Karasneh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan;
| | - Adel Shaban Sadeq
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain 64141, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Nadia Al Mazrouei
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Stuart E. Bond
- Pharmacy Department, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Wakefield WF1 4DG, UK;
| | - Barbara R. Conway
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK;
- Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Mamoon A. Aldeyab
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +0044-01484-472825
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