Community Pharmacist Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Pharmaceutical Care in Eastern Nepal

Prasanna  Dahal; Rahi Bikram  Thapa; Monika  Kafle; Bipana  Ojha; Anisha  Dangal; Sabina  Dhakal; Bisal  Dhakal

doi:10.18502/jpc.v13i1.18400

Prasanna Dahal Department of Pharmacy, Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal.
Rahi Bikram Thapa Department of Pharmacy, Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal.
Monika Kafle Department of Pharmacy, Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal.
Bipana Ojha Department of Pharmacy, Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal.
Anisha Dangal Department of Pharmacy, Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal.
Sabina Dhakal Department of Pharmacy, Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal.
Bisal Dhakal Department of Pharmacy, Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jpc.v13i1.18400

Keywords: Knowledge; Attitude; Practice; Community Pharmacists; Pharmaceutical Care

Abstract

Background: Pharmaceutical care (PC) services play a crucial role in optimizing patients' drug therapy and improving treatment outcomes. This study aimed to assess community pharmacists' awareness, attitude, and practice toward PC in eastern Nepal.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among registered pharmacists practicing community pharmacy in the Morang district, eastern Nepal, from February 2023 to July 2023. A self-administered 24-item structured questionnaire was used to assess participants' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward PC. The participants' KAP was classified into good (>80%), moderate (60-79%), and poor (<60%) levels, respectively, using Bloom's cut-off score points. The chi-square test and Spearman's correlation test were employed to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables.

Results: A total of 193 community pharmacists participated in this study; among them, most were male (73.1%) and under 30 years old (58.5%). Most participants (90.7%) had certificate-level pharmacy qualifications. The majority of the community pharmacists possessed good knowledge (65.3%) and attitude (47.7%) toward PC; however, their practice of PC services was poor (51.3%). The participants' age group and qualifications were significantly linked to a good understanding of PC, while gender was associated with better PC practices (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The study revealed that nearly two-thirds of the community pharmacists had adequate knowledge about PC, but their attitude and practice toward PC were suboptimal. Strict regulatory enforcement of PC-centered pharmacy practice, as well as PC practice-dedicated educational and interventional programs, are recommended for community pharmacy practitioners in this area.