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Tafere C, Tefera BB, Yehualaw A, Demsie DG, Kefale B, Feyisa K, Yismaw MB, Aschale E, Debasu Z, Yilma Z, Agmassie Z, Siraj IA, Yayehrad AT, Mulatu S, Endeshaw D. Community Pharmacists' Knowledge and Attitude Towards Opioid Pain Medication Use in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia. J Multidiscip Healthc 2024; 17:833-841. [PMID: 38434484 PMCID: PMC10908331 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s452350] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Opioid use is a major global public health problem, affecting 16 million individuals worldwide. According to a 2023 WHO report, out of the 600,000 substance-related deaths worldwide, 80% were attributed to opioid use. Pharmacists play a vital role in reducing unnecessary opioid exposure while facilitating access to non-opioid alternatives. To do so, pharmacists should have sufficient knowledge regarding opioid-containing medications and a positive attitude about opioid use problems. Objective This study aimed to evaluate community pharmacists' knowledge of opioid-containing medications and their attitude toward opioid use problems. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, structured questionnaire distributed to 105 community pharmacists from July 1-30, 2023 in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia. The tool included demographic information and questions designed to assess participants' knowledge and attitudes. Results Out of the 105 pharmacists included in this study, majority were males (54.3%), nearly half held a bachelor's degree (49.5%), and slightly above one-third had over a decade experience (39%). Regarding knowledge and attitude towards opioids, 62 individuals (59%) exhibited good knowledge, and 64 (61%) demonstrated less stigma toward opioid usage. Factors affecting knowledge include: education level (AOR (95% CI): 8.43 (1.76-40.35) and 9.93 (1.04-85.33) for bachelors and postgraduates respectively and age 1.45 (1.20-1.77)]. Meanwhile, experience [AOR (95% CI): 4.64(1.20-17.90) and 4.29 (1.23-15.05)] for 5-9 years and ≥10 years respectively and education level [AOR (95% CI): 4.08 (1.40-11.93) for bachelors and 6.40 (1.42-28.96)] for postgraduates were linked to attitude. Conclusion A gap in knowledge and more stigmatizing behavior was observed among community pharmacists. These findings imply the importance of tailored educational interventions to address knowledge gaps and promote positive attitudes toward opioid usage among community pharmacists. Therefore, it is imperative to deliver up-to-date information on opioids, emphasizing their high addiction potential, to ensure pharmacists are well-equipped with the latest information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chernet Tafere
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Bereket Bahiru Tefera
- Department of Social Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Adane Yehualaw
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Desalegn Getnet Demsie
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Belayneh Kefale
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Kebede Feyisa
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Malede Berihun Yismaw
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Endalamaw Aschale
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Zenaw Debasu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Zewdu Yilma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Zegaye Agmassie
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Ibrahim Abdela Siraj
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Ashagrachew Tewabe Yayehrad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Sileshi Mulatu
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Destaw Endeshaw
- Department of Adult health Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
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Green TC, Silcox J, Bolivar D, Gray M, Floyd AS, Irwin AN, Hansen RN, Hartung DM, Bratberg J. Pharmacy staff-reported adaptations to naloxone provision and over-the-counter (OTC) syringe sales during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences across multiple states and 2 pharmacy chains. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2024; 64:71-78. [PMID: 37863398 PMCID: PMC11014459 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to harm reduction materials was greatly disrupted during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Community pharmacies often continued provision of harm reduction materials as part of their usual operations during the pandemic, but little is known about what, if any, adaptations were made and the perceived impact of these actions from the perspective of pharmacy staff. OBJECTIVES We explored how pharmacy staff across 4 states in 2 major pharmacy chains adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic for ongoing naloxone and over-the-counter (OTC) syringe access and how staff perceived the pandemic affected drug use in the community they served and their pharmacy's volume of syringe sales and naloxone provision. METHODS We analyzed 134 pharmacy staff responses to a 12-month follow-up assessment for an educational intervention conducted in 2 pharmacy chains in Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Respondents answered closed- and open-ended questions collected online from July 2020 to February 2022. Questions measured prevalence of adaptations and perceived uptake of naloxone and OTC syringe services. Descriptive statistics summarized adaptations and perceived impact and chi-square tests explored differences by state and pharmacy chain. Open-ended responses were reviewed and analyzed to identify summary points and themes. RESULTS With few differences by state or pharmacy chain detected, pharmacy staff reported more naloxone mailing, requests by phone, streamlined counseling, and drive-thru provision adaptations to OTC syringe sales and naloxone provision during the pandemic. Most staff perceived adaptations as increasing or maintaining naloxone provision and OTC syringe sales. Respondents described specific aspects of the pharmacy that contributed to successful adaptations, including tailoring to specific product demand, inventory levels, drive-thru access, and a perception of extraordinary public health need at a time of and in places affected by the opioid crisis. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacy OTC syringe and naloxone access continued during the COVID-19 pandemic through streamlining workflows and innovating no-contact harm reduction services, reinforcing pharmacy's public health role.
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Karpa K, Ward J, Stegman M, Berg A, Leong SL. IPEx: A gamification tool for learner application of pharmacologic principles of opioid use, misuse, and addiction. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2023; 11:e01141. [PMID: 37759385 PMCID: PMC10533953 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioids are often prescribed to treat chronic pain ailments, despite lack of evidence for many conditions. Prescriptions frequently become the gateway to opioid misuse and abuse. In response to the opioid crisis, medical school educators in the state of Pennsylvania developed core competencies pertaining to opioids and addiction for which all medical students should demonstrate proficiency before graduation. To enable students to achieve these competencies, we developed a web-based app (IPEx) that delivers a gamified experience for learners in which they are (re)exposed to opioid competencies and practice applying pharmacologic principles in the context of a series of longitudinal patient scenarios. Learning and application are measured by student responses to application questions before and after each of five modules. Prior to launching the IPEx tool broadly, we wished to test the application questions; thus, we invited fourth year medical students to complete a 45 question quiz based on IPEx module content. Students had no specific preparation prior to taking the quiz but had been exposed to all content elsewhere in the curriculum. A total of 45 of 141 medical students (32%) opted to complete the quiz (mean score was 47% ± 13%; range 18%-73%). Cronbach alpha for the instrument was .74. These results suggest that the instrument has internal validity, and medical students have room for growth when it comes to application of opioid related competencies, a situation that the IPEx tool may be uniquely suited to remedy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Karpa
- Department of Medical EducationEast Tennessee State University Quillen College of MedicineJohnson CityTennesseeUSA
| | - Josie Ward
- East Tennessee State University Quillen College of MedicineJohnson CityTennesseeUSA
| | | | - Arthur Berg
- Department of Public Health SciencesPennsylvania State University College of MedicineHersheyPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Shou Ling Leong
- Department of Family and Community MedicinePennsylvania State University College of MedicineHersheyPennsylvaniaUSA
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