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The Journal of Headache and Pain
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Assessment of community pharmacy professionals’ knowledge and counseling skills achievement towards headache management: a cross-sectional and simulated-client based mixed study

Authors: Adeladlew Kassie Netere, Daniel Asfaw Erku, Ashenafi Kibret Sendekie, Eyob Alemayehu Gebreyohannes, Niguse Yigzaw Muluneh, Sewunet Admasu Belachew

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Headache is one of the most common disabling medical condition affecting over 40% of adults globally. Many patients with headache prefer to alleviate their symptom with a range of over-the-counter analgesics that are available in community medicine retail outlets (CMROs). However, data regarding how community pharmacists respond to headache presentation and their analgesic dispensing behaviors in Ethiopia is scarce. The present study aimed to assess the self-reported and actual practice of community pharmacists toward management of a headache in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

Methods

A dual-phase mixed-methods research design, including pseudo-client visits (between April 1 and 30, 2018) followed by a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study (between May 1 and 20, 2018) was conducted among CMROs in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

Results

Among the 60 pseudo-client visits, 95% of them dispensed medications. The overall counseling approach was found to be 42.6% which improved to 58.3% when the pseudo-clients demanded it. Duration (73.3%) and signs/symptoms (45%) of headache were asked before dispensing the medications. Dosing frequency (86.7%), indication (60%) and dosage form (35%) were the most discussed items. Ibuprofen (45%) and diclofenac (41.5%) were primarily added to paracetamol for better headache treatment. Effectiveness (61.7%) and cost (21.7%) were the main criteria to choose drugs. In the cross-sectional survey, 60 participants were requested and 51 of them agreed to participate (response rate of 85%). Of these participants, 64.7% agreed that managing headache symptomatically is challenging. Patient lack of confidence in dispensers (41.2%) and lack of updated medical information (31.4%) were reported as the primary barriers to counsel clients.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the practical gaps in counseling practices and poor headache management of community pharmacies in Gondar city. National stakeholders in collaboration with academic organizations should be involved in continuous clinical training and education regarding proper counseling practices.
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Metadata
Title
Assessment of community pharmacy professionals’ knowledge and counseling skills achievement towards headache management: a cross-sectional and simulated-client based mixed study
Authors
Adeladlew Kassie Netere
Daniel Asfaw Erku
Ashenafi Kibret Sendekie
Eyob Alemayehu Gebreyohannes
Niguse Yigzaw Muluneh
Sewunet Admasu Belachew
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-018-0930-7

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