The Knowledge, Practices and Attitude of Community Pharmacists and Patent Medicine Vendors towards Use and Sales of Dexamethasone in Southwest Nigeria
Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: There has been an increased Dexamethasone consumption among Nigerians in recent times, little is however known about the potential contribution of Community Pharmacists (CPs) and Patent Medicine Vendors (PMVs) to this phenomenon. A cross sectional study to assess the knowledge and sales practice of Dexamethasone was carried out among 36 conveniently sampled CPs and 108 PMVs in Sagamu, Nigeria, between January and April 2015, using a pretested 28-item questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ogun State Ministry of Health Ethical Review Board. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data while Chi -square was used for test of proportions. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. The response rate was 133(92.4%). The total mean scores for CPs and PMVs on the knowledge score rating were 9.8 and 5.7 respectively; 42 (31.6%) and 57(42.9%) respondents sold and recommended Dexamethasone respectively for fattening. The study concluded that the PMVs had poor knowledge of Dexamethasone. The sales practices of both the CPs and the PMVs could contribute to inappropriate use of Dexamethasone in the community. Training of PMVs and CPs on drug policy guidelines and ethics is recommended
Authors: Sule A. Saka, OO Odusanya, A. Winifred Ojieabu
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacy
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3149762564