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Pharmacists as immunizers in Lebanon: a national survey of community pharmacists' willingness and readiness to administer adult immunization.
Youssef, Dalal; Abou-Abbas, Linda; Farhat, Suzan; Hassan, Hamad.
  • Youssef D; Preventive Medicine Department, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon. dalalyoussef.esu@gmail.com.
  • Abou-Abbas L; Research Center for Population Health (BPH), Institut de santé publique d'épidémiologie et de développement (ISPED), Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France. dalalyoussef.esu@gmail.com.
  • Farhat S; Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Hassan H; Epidemiological Surveillance Unit, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon.
Hum Resour Health ; 19(1): 131, 2021 10 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1484315
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Since the focus of healthcare has shifted toward prevention, pharmacists were highly encouraged to expand their practice to include immunization services. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of community-based Lebanese pharmacists, in addition to their willingness to expand their practice scope to include vaccine administration.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted during the phase preceding the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine in Lebanon between 1 and 31st December 2020. Using a stratified random sampling method, data were collected from Lebanese community pharmacists (CPs) through an online survey that included information on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical experience, willingness to administer vaccines, knowledge about vaccination, attitudes towards immunization, reasons supporting utilizing pharmacists as immunizers and the requested elements to incorporate immunization in pharmacists' practice scope. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with knowledge.

RESULTS:

A total of 412 community pharmacists participated in this survey. Of the total, 66.5% of the surveyed CPs are willing to administer vaccines. The majority of them (89.8%) had an overall good level. Out of all, 92.7% showed a positive overall attitude score toward immunization, 95.4% agreed that community pharmacists can play an important role in advertising and promoting vaccination. The main needed elements for implementing immunization services in pharmacies listed by participants were support of health authorities (99.3%), statutory allowance (82.8%), patient demand (95.4%), pharmacist's interest (96.1%) and continuous education and training workshops on immunization. Older CPs (50 years and above) [aOR = 0.703, CI 95% (0.598-0.812)] and those working in Bekaa and North have lower knowledge score than their counterparts. High educational level [aOR = 1.891, CI 95% (1.598-2.019)], previous experience in immunization [aOR = 3.123, CI 95% (2.652-4.161)] and working in urban areas [aOR = 3.640, CI 95% (2.544-4.717)] were positively associated with a good knowledge level.

CONCLUSION:

Most of Lebanese community pharmacists are willing to offer immunizations. The expansion of the pharmacists practice scope to include provision of immunizations required a national plan that encompasses strengthening knowledge, training, certification for eligibility to administer vaccines, enhancing pharmacovigilance and statutory reform.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Community Pharmacy Services / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Hum Resour Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12960-021-00673-1

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Community Pharmacy Services / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Hum Resour Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12960-021-00673-1