KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND DISPENSING PRACTICES RELATING TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS AMONG PHARMACISTS IN IBADAN AND LAGOS METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) are hormonal means of preventing pregnancy following unprotected sexual intercourse. If taken within 72 hours of the act, ECPs reduce the risk of pregnancies by 75%. Use of ECPs is important in Nigeria where unprotected sex is widespread. Commercial pharmacies are important access points for ECPs because they are more readily accessible than clinics. Few studies have been carried out among the pharmacists who dispense the drugs. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude. and dispensing practices relating to ECPs among commercial pharmacists in lbadan and Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. The study was cross-sectional in design. Pharmacists who practiced in both pharmacy shops and Hospitals provided data for the study. Quantitative method was used to gather data: 240 and 190 validated questionnaire were administered to pharmacists in lbadan and Lagos respectively during the period of eight months. Of this number, 211 (145 in lbadan and 66 in Lagos) consented to participate in the study. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean age of the respondents was 38.8 (±10.9) years. There were more male (57.3%) than female respondents (42.7%). Seventy two percent of the respondents practiced in pharmacies and 23% in hospitals. The mean knowledge score ECP was 8.9 (± 2.6) out of 18 point. No significant difference was found in mean knowledge score of male (9.0) (±2.6) and female respondents (8.9) (± 2.8) (p>0.05). Pharmacists aged less than 40 years had mean knowledge score of 9.4 compared to older Pharmacist (8.3). Respondents who had practiced for up to 30 years had significantly higher score of 9.1, when compared to those with Iess years of practice (7.7) (p<0.05). The overall mean attitude score was 8.8 (±2.7) out of 16 points. Most of the Pharmacist (79.1%) believed that it was their responsibility to dispense ECPs. Forty-three percent of respondents had religious objection to the dispensing of ECPs and 46.9% had moral objection. Twenty-eight percent supported ECPs as over-the-counter drug. The majority (70.6%) said they would not dispense ECP to patients younger than 18 years old. Seventy percent of respondents had ever dispensed ECP, 30% had never done so. Seventy-one percent of pharmacists had ECPs in stock at the time of study. More male (61.7%) than Female (38.3%) had dispensed ECPs. No significant difference was found in dispensing practices of pharmacists in lbadan (94.5%) and Lagos (93.9%) (p>0.05). Sixty-one percent felt there was need for training before a pharmacist could adequately dispense ECPs but only 17.5% had ever participated in such training. However 65.9% signified intention to be trained if given the opportunity. Although majority of pharmacists dispensed ECP, their knowledge of the drug is limited, they held negative attitude towards dispensing the drug. There is need to upgrade their knowledge and influence their attitude to the dispensing of ECPs through training.