Pharmacist-led smoking cessation: The attitudes and practices of community pharmacists in Lagos state, Nigeria: A mixed methods survey

Abstract

IntroductIon Community pharmacists are well-positioned to support smoking cessation particularly in low and middle income countries. This study aims to assess the attitudes, barriers and pattern of pharmacist-led smoking cessation services and explore the factors associated with the willingness to offer smoking cessation services. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using qualitative and quantitative methods. Two hundred and forty two community pharmaceutical premises were randomly selected and interviewed. In addition, one Focus Group Discussion was carried out among nine members of the state branch of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria in Lagos State. results Approximately 92% encountered smokers in the course of their work however only 49.6% had ever inquired about their smoking status and 49.1% of these, had offered some form of cessation support. Only 44% had NRT's available within their pharmaceutical premises. The majority (68.5%) were willing to offer smoking cessation services in their premises however only 44.6% had ever received any prior training on tobacco cessation. Those who believed that pharmacists had the required training to offer smoking cessation services were more willing to provide these services. Qualitative findings also revealed that the majority felt they had a unique role to play in providing tobacco cessation services. conclusIons Community pharmacists were willing to provide smoking cessation services within their practice, however they may require specific training to do so effectively. In developing guidelines for community based smoking cessation, it is recommended that pharmacists be engaged and trained for the provision of smoking cessation services within the community. oluwakemi ololade odukoya 1 , edward oluwatobi Poluyi 1 , bolajoko Aina 2 , chioma ejekam 1 , babalola Faseru 3

A National Survey of Community Pharmacists on Smoking Cessation Services in Thailand

“…This study also identified the lack of materials for smoking services as a barrier to service provision, a result consistent with a related study conducted in Thailand by Thananithisak et al [ 10 ], and other studies [ 26 , 28 ]. This is despite that materials to aid smoking cessation could be requested without any charge from the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation Thailand (ASH Thailand).…”

“…Consistent with several other studies [ 10 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], this study found that lack of time was perceived to be a significant barrier to providing smoking cessation services. Interestingly, lack of time was more likely to be perceived as a barrier among those community pharmacists providing smoking cessation than those that did not.…”

“…Two identified barriers in providing smoking cessation services, i.e., lack of knowledge/skills and lack of self-confidence, were also identified by other studies [ 10 , 26 , 27 ]. As these barriers may be overcome by training; the TPNTC and the pharmacy faculties of universities could usefully provide more relevant training to pharmacists and pharmacy students.…”

“…Another perceived barrier to providing smoking cessation services was not having relevant medications, which was also identified in related studies [ 10 , 26 ]. However, this study found that Thai pharmacists perceived lack of smoking cessation medications as a weaker barrier, as per the findings of a related Thai study conducted in 2008 [ 10 ].…”

Toward pharmacy-based smoking cessation services in Nigeria: Knowledge, perception and practice of community pharmacists

“…In addition, the roles of pharmacists in providing smoking cessation advice and services have been well-documented in the literature 18 . However, smoking cessation services are not a typical role of pharmacists in Nigeria, even though they have a positive attitude towards offering the service 21 .…”