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Involvement of Community Pharmacists in Public Health Services in Asir Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
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  • Mona Almanasef,
  • Dalia Almaghaslah,
  • Geetha Kandasamy,
  • Rajalakshimi Vasudevan,
  • Sadia Batool
Mona Almanasef
King Khalid University

Corresponding Author:malmanasaef@kku.edu.sa

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Dalia Almaghaslah
King Khalid University College of Science
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Geetha Kandasamy
King Khalid University
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Rajalakshimi Vasudevan
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Sadia Batool
King Khalid University
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Abstract

Background: Community pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare practitioners worldwide used by a large proportion of the population. Expanding the roles of community pharmacists could contribute to reducing pressure on general health practice and other areas of the health services. This research aimed to evaluate the contribution of community pharmacists in the provision of public health services and to investigate the perceived barriers for the provision of these services in Saudi Arabia. Materials & Methods: This study followed a cross-sectional design using an online anonymous self-administered questionnaire. The study took place in Asir region, Saudi Arabia, between September 2019 and February 2020. A convenience sampling strategy was used to select and recruit the study participants. The questionnaire was adapted from previous research and involved three sections: demographics, involvement in public health services, and barriers for practising public health roles. Results: The total number of respondents was 193. The proportion of respondents who reported that they were “very involved” or “involved” in each service was 61.7% for weight management, 60.6% for sexual health, 57.5% for healthy eating, 53.4% for physical activity promotion, 51.3% for dental health, 46.1% for smoking cessation, 39.4% for screening for diabetes, 35.7% for screening for hypertension, 31.1% for alcohol dependence and drug misuse counselling, 30.6% for screening for dyslipidaemia, and 21.8% for vaccination and immunisation. Most of the barriers in the current research were rated as having low relevance to the provision of public health services. Conclusion: Findings in the current research suggest that community pharmacists in Asir region have intermediate to minimal engagement in practicing their public health roles. Further research needs to be undertaken to understand the barriers to the provision of public health services and what strategies would be beneficial for enhancing the public health role of community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia.
08 Jul 2021Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
08 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
08 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
15 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
26 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
10 Sep 20211st Revision Received
11 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Sep 2021Submission Checks Completed
11 Sep 2021Assigned to Editor
01 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
09 Oct 2021Published in International Journal of Clinical Practice. 10.1111/ijcp.14940