Exploring the role of community pharmacies as a harm reduction environment for anabolic-androgenic steroid consumers: triangulating the perspectives of consumers and pharmacists.

BACKGROUND: While community pharmacies have been successful in providing harm reduction support for illicit substance consumers, little research has explored their role in addressing the needs of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) consumers. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to triangulate the attitudes and experiences of AAS consumers and community pharmacist's regarding AAS harm reduction. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with AAS consumers (n = 8) and community pharmacists (n = 15) between December 2022 and August 2023 in Australia. Interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: While consumers emphasised easy access to pharmacies, particularly in urban areas, challenges were noted in rural regions. AAS consumers expressed a preference for community pharmacies, perceiving them as less confronting and a feasible avenue for accessing professional advice, highlighting the potential role of pharmacists in nurturing therapeutic alliances with AAS consumers. Similarly, pharmacists expressed receptivity to providing harm reduction information but acknowledged knowledge gaps, suggesting a need for tailored education programs to support AAS consumers effectively. CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacies can be an important environment for AAS harm reduction. Strategies include utilising private spaces for open discussions with AAS consumers and enhancing pharmacists' understanding of AAS to foster trust and support. Further research is needed to address knowledge gaps and training needs for pharmacy staff, with the aim of creating a safer environment for AAS consumers.

What is the prevalence of chronic venous disease among health care workers? A scoping review.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) occurs because of structural or functional disturbances to the venous system of the lower limbs. Signs and symptoms include leg pain, swelling, varicose veins, and skin changes, with venous ulceration ultimately occurring in severe disease. To assess the prevalence of CVD among health care workers, a scoping review of existing publications exploring the prevalence of CVD among health care workers was conducted in July 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used. A total of 15 papers met the inclusion criteria and these formed the basis of the review. Among health care workers, the mean prevalence of CVD was 58.5% and the mean prevalence for varicose veins was 22.1%. There is an increased prevalence of CVD in health care workers when compared with the general population. Therefore, there is a need for early diagnosis and the use of preventative measures to protect health care workers from CVD and varicose vein development.