Published in:
01-12-2018 | Research Article
Knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk
factors and practice of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease by Community
Pharmacists in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Authors:
Casmir E. Amadi, Folasade O. Lawal, Amam C. Mbakwem, Jayne N. Ajuluchukwu, David A. Oke
Published in:
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
|
Issue 6/2018
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Abstract
Background Studies in international
literature have shown that Community Pharmacists can make considerable impact in
controlling cardiovascular disease risk factors, especially hypertension. In
Nigeria, there are no studies on the knowledge of CVD risk factors by Community
Pharmacists and their practice of primary prevention. Objective To assess the knowledge of CVD risk factors and practice
of primary prevention of CVD amongst Nigerian community pharmacists. Setting Community Pharmacists in Lagos, Nigeria.
Methods This cross-sectional study involved
168 Community Pharmacists. Their knowledge of CVD risk factors was assessed with the
Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire. Their opportunistic screening practices for CVD
risk factors (primary prevention) were also assessed. Main
outcome measures Knowledge of CVD risk factors and practice of
primary CVD prevention. Results The mean age of
the participating pharmacists was 41.7 (± 11.2) years and 87 (51.8%) of them were
males. The median number of years of practice was 9.0 (3–15) years. Mean knowledge
score was 22.1 (± 3.0) with 154 (91.7%) of the subjects scoring above 70%. An
average of 95.5% of the participants correctly identified hypertension, smoking,
dyslipidaemia, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes as CVD risk factors.
Eighty-one (48.2%) had good practice of primary CVD prevention. Conclusion: This
study shows that Community Pharmacists in Nigeria have very good knowledge level of
CVD risk factors and almost 50% of them practised primary prevention of CVD.