Vanya Melinda, Matuz Maria, Benko Ria, Viola Reka, Horvath-Sziklai Attila, Soos Gyongyvér, Bartfai Gyorgy
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Health Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 1 Semmelweis str., 6725, Szeged, Hungary.
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
Int J Clin Pharm. 2017 Jun;39(3):594-600. doi: 10.1007/s11096-017-0448-0. Epub 2017 Mar 27.
Background Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are used to prevent unintended pregnancy. There is a worldwide intention to improve access to ECPs; therefore, identifying potential barriers to introducing over-the counter (OTC) access is of utmost importance. As pharmacists are the key personnel to convey accurate drug information, their knowledge and attitude on ECPs is important. Objective We aimed to conduct a nationwide study to assess pharmacists' knowledge on ECPs and to survey their opinion on sales category change of ECPs (i.e. to introduce OTC access in pharmacies). Setting Registered pharmacists in Hungary. Method A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with an anonymous, web-based questionnaire. Univariate analysis (Mann-Whitney U test and Fischer's exact test) was used to identify factors associated with supportive opinion toward OTC provision. Main outcome measure Knowledge level of pharmacists, proportion of pharmacists with supportive opinion on OTC access. Results 357 out of 2019 pharmacists completed the questionnaire, yielding a 17.7% response rate. Almost 30% of pharmacists (N = 99) agreed that ECPs should have an OTC availability in Hungary. More than 40% of pharmacists (N = 145) considered ECPs as contraceptives. On average, 55.18% (standard deviation: ±12.40%) of the answers were correct, showing moderate knowledge of the pharmacists. Age and rating ECPs as contraceptives were significantly associated with supportive opinion toward OTC provision (p < 0.001). The effect of knowledge on the pharmacist's opinion was significant in young pharmacists (p = 0.02). Conclusion Pharmacists' knowledge and opinion on ECPs should be improved, especially that of the young ones. Currently the attitude of pharmacists does not favor sales category changes of ECPs in Hungary.
背景 紧急避孕药用于预防意外怀孕。全球都有意改善紧急避孕药的可及性；因此，识别引入非处方（OTC）可及性的潜在障碍至关重要。由于药剂师是传达准确药品信息的关键人员，他们对紧急避孕药的知识和态度很重要。目的 我们旨在开展一项全国性研究，以评估药剂师对紧急避孕药的知识，并调查他们对紧急避孕药销售类别变更（即在药店引入非处方可及性）的意见。研究地点 匈牙利的注册药剂师。方法 采用基于网络的匿名问卷进行前瞻性横断面研究。使用单变量分析（曼-惠特尼U检验和费舍尔精确检验）来识别与支持非处方供应意见相关的因素。主要观察指标 药剂师的知识水平、对非处方可及性持支持意见的药剂师比例。结果 2019名药剂师中有357名完成了问卷，回复率为17.7%。近30%的药剂师（N = 99）同意紧急避孕药在匈牙利应可非处方获取。超过40%的药剂师（N = 145）将紧急避孕药视为避孕药。答案的平均正确率为55.18%（标准差：±12.40%），表明药剂师的知识水平中等。年龄以及将紧急避孕药视为避孕药与支持非处方供应的意见显著相关（p < 0.001）。知识对年轻药剂师意见的影响显著（p = 0.02）。结论 应提高药剂师对紧急避孕药的知识和意见，尤其是年轻药剂师的。目前匈牙利药剂师的态度不利于紧急避孕药销售类别的变更。
