Low back pain management attitudes and pharmacy practice: the impact of community pharmacists' characteristics.

Pharmacy Practice

  • Ammar Abdulrahman Jairoun1Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Pulau Pinang, 11500, Malaysia., 2Health and Safety Department, Dubai Municipality, Dubai, UAE.
  • Sabaa Saleh Al-Hemyari3Discipline of Social & Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia., 4Pharmacy Department, Emirates Health Services, Dubai, UAE.
  • Moyad Shahwan5Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, 346, United Arab Emirates., 6Centre of Medical and Bio allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates.
  • Eman Abu-Gharbieh7Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates., 8Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
  • Sa'ed H. Zyoud9Department of Clinical and Community Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine., 10Clinical Research Centre, An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
  • Ammar Ali Saleh Jaber11Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacotherapeutics, Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Al mizhar Dubai, UAE.
  • Maimona Jairoun5Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, 346, United Arab Emirates.

Volume 21 Issue 3 Pages 1-9

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2023.3.2827

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent diseases for which patients seek advice in a community pharmacy. There is evidence to suggest that LBP-related negative beliefs are associated with increased levels of pain and impairment. Objective: This study evaluated the attitudes, beliefs, and practices of community pharmacists who advise patients with acute or chronic LBP. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among licensed community pharmacists, which were selected randomly in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates. The survey took place via a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire covered questions on demographics and the participants' attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding LBP management. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify the factors influencing respondents' practices in relation to LBS therapy, while multivariate linear regression was used to identify the factors influencing respondents' attitudes toward LBP management. Results: A total of 867 participants enrolled in the study. 63% were female, 53.9% of the surveyed pharmacies were independent pharmacies, 68.9% had more than ten years of experience, 55.7% graduated from regional/international universities, 84.5% were Bachelor's degree holders, and 63.5% were Pharmacists in charge. Bivariate analysis showed that chain pharmacies (P <0.001), having more than ten years of experience (P< 0.001), graduated from regional/international universities (P < 0.001), and pharmacists in charge (P <0.001) were more likely to score higher in attitude and practice towards the management of LBP. Conclusion: Community pharmacists in the UAE have a positive attitude and practice when it comes to managing lower back pain. Community pharmacists' recommendations for low back pain care in the UAE largely coincide with clinical practice for low back pain.

Keywords

  • low back pain
  • knowledge
  • attitude
  • community pharmacy
  • beliefs
Pharmacy Practice

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