Evaluation of the participation of community pharmacists in family planning services: A nonrandomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Community pharmacists (CPs) are increasingly participating in family planning services (FPS) in different health systems but the underpinnings of effectiveness in these services remain poorly understood and rarely documented.

Objectives This study examined knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of FPS among CPs and assessed the impact of an intervention on these indices.

Methods: A nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted using two equivalent groups (n = 61 each) of randomly-selected CPs in Southwestern Nigeria. Intervention comprised a training package for the intervention group followed by a 2-month monitoring of participants' practices. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected using validated questionnaire and analyzed using appropriate descriptive (frequency, percentages, mean) and inferential statistics including chi-square test to examine association between categorical variables, and t-test to compare differences between means at alpha level of 0.05 for all statistical tests.

Results: Pre-intervention knowledge of FPS in both groups was poor with no significant difference in their mean scores [t (120) = 0.34; p = 0.74]. Post-intervention, 79% of intervention group demonstrated good knowledge (controls remained poor), with significant difference in mean knowledge scores across the groups [t (120) = −33.59; p < 0.05*]. Pre-intervention attitude in both control (97%) and intervention group (95%) were negative. Post-intervention, 93% of intervention group exhibited positive attitude (controls remained negative), Mean difference 72.8 [t (120) = −77.21; p < 0.05*]. Preintervention practice scores were poor in control (92%) and intervention (90%) groups. Post-intervention, 83.6% of intervention group had good practice scores (controls remained poor), Mean difference 48.9 [t (120) = −31.0; p < 0.05*].

Conclusion: Pre-intervention scores for KAP of FPS were poor among respondents. All the indices were significantly improved by the study intervention. Policy reforms are recommended to train CPs in the provision of FPS for enhanced reproductive health services.