Pharmacist knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding nicotine replacement therapy usage in Iraq.

Abstract

Objectives: The tobacco epidemic represents one of the most significant public health challenges faced globally. Nicotine replacement therapy was developed to substitute for the nicotine contained in tobacco products temporarily. The objective of this study was to investigate pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the utilization of nicotine replacement therapy in Iraq.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 300 pharmacists across five provinces from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

Results: Indicate that 300 pharmacists participated in the analysis, with approximately two-thirds identifying as male. About two-thirds of the participants (95% confidence interval: 65.3%) expressed that they knew how to use nicotine replacement therapy. Furthermore, about half of them (95% confidence interval: 50.3%) reported their awareness of how to make dose titration, with a majority agreeing that the assessment of nicotine dependence influences the selection of nicotine replacement therapy products. Fair knowledge was associated with each degree of education, not attending training programs, and the availability of nicotine replacement therapy in their pharmacies (0.01, 0.002, 0.003, respectively).

Conclusions: There exists a critical necessity for pharmacists to augment their comprehension of the medications utilized in smoking cessation. Such enhancement is essential to improve their practices and, consequently, to attain superior outcomes in supporting individuals in their efforts to quit smoking.