(Current Challenges and Updates in Pharmacy Education and Research)

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Iraqi Community Pharmacists Toward Emergency Contraceptives

Not scheduled

20m

كلية الصيدلة

Poster exhibition (in-person) Conference Trak Two

Speaker

Dr Juan Shaukat

Description

Abstract
Back ground: Emergency contraceptives (ECs) are indicated for preventing the chance of unintended pregnancy that follows unprotected sexual intercourse in cases of contraceptive failure and in sexual assault. It is considered as safe choice to prevent pregnancy than abortion which is life threating.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of community pharmacists towards emergency contraceptives also; to assess the effect of demographic variables on the KAP towards ECs.
Methods: This study was a cross sectional study on a convenient sample of community pharmacists from Iraq. The survey tool was an online, self-administered questionnaire, in English language and a paper-based copy of the questionnaire was delivered face-to-face to some of the study participants. The questionnaire consisted of four parts firstly sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and the last one was about the practices of community pharmacists toward emergency contraceptives.
Results: A total of 212 community pharmacists participated in the study. the study participants(67.9%) were in the age range of(24-29)years,(61.8%) were females,(60% )had less than 5 years of experience and the majority(73.1%) were from Baghdad. This study showed that the majority of community pharmacists(74%) had good knowledge about emergency contraceptives and(95%) of them had a very good attitude. However,(51%) of the participants had poor practice where (62.5%) of the pharmacists did not make counselling during dispending on mechanism of action, additionally, this study results have shown no significant relationship between demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude and practice towards emergency contraceptives.
Conclusions: The majority of the study participants had good knowledge and very good attitude towards ECs. Whereas poor practice was observed in more than half of the participants. Educational programs and training sessions are required to raise knowledge about the importance of emergency contraceptives and also to improve the dispensing practice of these products.