Practice, competency and attitude toward weight management service and the barriers for its implementation in the community pharmacy setting

Pharmacy Practice

  • Anan S. Jarab1College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates., 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology. P.O. Box 3030. Irbid 22110, Jordan.
  • Walid Al-Qerem3Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan. P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan.
  • Dua'a F. Mubarak2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology. P.O. Box 3030. Irbid 22110, Jordan.
  • Shrouq R. Abu Heshmeh2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology. P.O. Box 3030. Irbid 22110, Jordan.
  • Abdallah Y. Naser4Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan.
  • Yazid N. Al Hamarneh5Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Canada.
  • Amal Akour6Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates., 7Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan. Amman, Jordan.

Volume 22 Issue 2 Pages 1-8

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2024.2.2937

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization has estimated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Jordan is up to 70% and 40% respectively. Identifying the community pharmacist's role is required to develop effective interventions for weight management. Objective: To evaluate practice, competence, and attitudes toward weight management service (WMS), and to explore the barriers associated with its implementation at the community pharmacy setting. Methods: The present cross-sectional study utilized a validated Face to face self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in different areas across Jordan. In addition to the socio-demographic variables, the study questionnaire evaluated pharmacists' practice, competency, attitudes, and the barriers for weight management services provision. Results: The participants showed inadequate practice and competency, but positive attitude towards WMS. Regression results revealed that having one to five years of work experience (OR= 2.419, 95% CI: 1.032:5.671, P<0.05), positive attitude (OR= 2.168, 95% CI: 1.285:3.656, P<0.01), and high competency (OR=3.377, 95% CI: 2.011:5.671, P<0.01) were associated with improved practice. On the other hand, having a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (OR=3.830, 95% CI: 1.259:11.649, P<0.05), and positive attitude (OR=3.590, 95% CI: 2.162:5.962, P<0.01) were associated with increased competency. Male participants showed unfavourable attitude towards the provision of WMS when compared to females (OR=0.597, 95%CI: 0.366:0.975, P<0.05), while having more than 6 years of work experience (OR=2.419, 95%CI: 1.032:5.671, P<0.05) was associated with improved attitude. Lack of patients' recognition of obesity as a disease (55.8%), lack of private consultation area in the pharmacy (53.1%), and inability to follow-up the patients (53%) were the most reported barriers to implement these WMS. Conclusion: Despite the frequent provision of WMS and the positive attitudes toward this service, the study participants did not demonstrate enough competency and reported several barriers to provide WMS.

Keywords

  • community pharmacy
  • weight management
  • competency
  • attitudes
  • practice
  • barriers
Pharmacy Practice

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