Abstract

Elevated level of cholesterol is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Community pharmacies are considered as ideal settings to provide screening services for chronic medical conditions. An adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards cholesterol screening would increase pharmacist’s involvement in cholesterol lowering interventions and referrals. The objective of this study was to assess community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitude and resource availability in relation to cholesterol screening in Delta State, Nigeria. A 33 item pre tested self-administered questionnaire with a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.628 was distributed to all 160 community pharmacists in Delta State. The questionnaire items assessed knowledge, attitude and available resources in relation to cholesterol screening. Categorical data was expressed as frequency and percentages. Chi-square test was performed to explore relationship between demographic variables and pharmacist’s knowledge. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. More than half (64.7%) of community pharmacist were knowledgeable in relation to cholesterol and its influence on cardiovascular diseases. Cholesterol screening services were provided by only 11.3% community pharmacies in Delta State. Majority (82%) were willing to be trained in the use of cholesterol meter. Nearly half, 42.9% had a negative attitude towards cholesterol screening. Pharmacist’s knowledge about cholesterol and its influence in cardiovascular diseases was satisfactory. However, attitude towards cholesterol screening was largely negative and provision of such services was very low.

Key words: Cholesterol screening, community pharmacies, knowledge, Nigeria.