Assessment to Identify the Role of Community Pharmacy Practices in Major Cities in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Globally, millions of people seek their healthcare needs from community pharmacists because they are the most accessible health professionals. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to identify the role of community pharmacist practices in major cities in Delta State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a standard self-structured, pre-tested questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey on the opinions of the activities of 145 pharmacists across community pharmacies in Delta State, Nigeria. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. All (100%) of the respondents checked for blood pressure. The majority (83.5%) offered routine activities (consultation services and counseling) to doctors and patients. Most (82.1%) assessed patients with diabetes; this was significantly influenced by gender (χ2 = 4.63; p = 0.044), ownership (χ2 = 50.669; p = 0.000), position (χ2 = 18.598; p = 0.000), and proximity to a private hospital (χ2 = 12.616; p = 0.000). A lot (73.1%) dressed wound of accident/surgery victims and was significantly associated with gender (χ2 = 20.30; p = 0.000), age (χ2 = 11.77; p = 0.008), marital status (χ2 = 47.126; p = 0.000) and ownership status (χ2 = 7.375; p = 0.025). Awareness of routine activities performed by community pharmacists was associated with gender (χ2 = 10.337; p = 0.006) and qualification (χ2 = 11.678; p = 0.009). Services rendered by community pharmacies in major cities in Delta State are diverse and range from consultation with doctors to patient assessment and counseling services.