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Response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at private retail pharmacies in Kenya: a mixed methods study
Preprint
in English
| medRxiv
| ID: ppmedrxiv-21265188
ABSTRACT
BackgroundPrivate retail pharmacies in developing countries present a unique channel for COVID-19 prevention. We assessed the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by pharmacies in Kenya, aiming to identify strategies for maximising their contribution to the national response. MethodsWe conducted a prospective mixed-methods study, consisting of a questionnaire survey (n=195), a simulated client survey (n=103), and in-depth interviews (n=18). Data collection started approximately seven months after the pandemic reached Kenya. Quantitative data were summarized using measures of central tendency and multivariable modelling done using logistic regression. Qualitative analysis followed a thematic approach. ResultsThe initial weeks of the pandemic were characterized by fear and panic among service providers and a surge in client flow. Subsequently, 61% of pharmacies experienced a dip in demand to below pre-pandemic levels and 31% reported challenges with unavailability, high price, and poor-quality of products. Almost all pharmacies were actively providing preventive materials and therapies; educating clients on prevention measures; counselling anxious clients; and handling and referring suspect cases. Fifty-nine pharmacies (55% [95% CI 45-65%]) reported ever receiving a client asking for COVID-19 testing and a similar proportion supported pharmacy-based testing. For treatment, most pharmacies (71%) recommended alternative therapies and nutritional supplements such as vitamin C; only 27% recommended conventional therapies such as antibiotics. While 48% had at least one staff member trained on COVID-19, a general feeling of disconnection from the national program prevailed. ConclusionsPrivate pharmacies in Kenya were actively contributing to the COVID-19 response, but more deliberate engagement, support and linkages are required. Notably, there is an urgent need to develop guidelines for pharmacy-based COVID-19 testing, a service that is clearly needed and which could greatly increase test coverage. Roll-out of this and other pharmacy-based COVID-19 programs should be accompanied with implementation research in order to inform current and future pandemic responses.
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Full text:
Available
Collection:
Preprints
Database:
medRxiv
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Language:
English
Year:
2021
Document type:
Preprint