Department of Pharmacy, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang, Vietnam.
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Management and Economics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Contraception. 2023 Dec;128:110275. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2023.110275. Epub 2023 Aug 30.
This study aimed to investigate Vietnamese community pharmacists and pharmacy customers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs).
We recruited 400 pharmacists and 396 customers via a nonprobability convenience sampling technique. We used univariate and multivariate linear regression models to determine factors associated with the knowledge and attitudes toward ECPs among pharmacists and customers. We selected variables in the multivariate models through the Bayesian Model Averaging method using R software (version 4.2.3).
In medicine outlets, levonorgestrel and mifepristone (ECPs) were highly available. The average knowledge scores on ECPs among pharmacists and customers were 9.98 ± 2.00 and 6.24 ± 2.33, respectively. Many pharmacists did not have adequate knowledge of ECPs' mechanism of action, dosage, and contraindications. Customers lacked knowledge about their legislation, effectiveness, and side effects. The attitudes toward ECPs among participants were relatively positive. Reliable information sources about ECPs (such as the package leaflet, courses, and books) played an essential role in increasing ECP knowledge and attitudes (p < 0.001). The availability of ECPs (p < 0.001), being educated (p < 0.01 and 0.01), and daily sales (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with pharmacists' knowledge/attitudes. Age, education level, marital status, and occupation were significantly associated with customers' knowledge. Participants' knowledge of was significantly associated with their attitude toward ECPs (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively).
The knowledge of ECPs among pharmacists was relatively good, while that of customers was poor. There is a need to have policies and interventions to enhance the knowledge and attitudes toward ECPs for both pharmacists and customers.
Community pharmacies are ideal settings to dispense contraceptive methods, especially over-the-counter ECPs. Community pharmacists can help ensure the availability of ECPs in medicine outlets, increase women's access to ECPs, and counsel customers on up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge about these medications, thereby guaranteeing rational ECP use.
本研究旨在调查越南社区药剂师和药房顾客对紧急避孕药（ECP）的知识、态度和实践。
我们通过非概率便利抽样技术招募了 400 名药剂师和 396 名顾客。我们使用单变量和多变量线性回归模型来确定与药剂师和顾客对 ECP 的知识和态度相关的因素。我们使用 R 软件（版本 4.2.3）通过贝叶斯模型平均方法选择多变量模型中的变量。
在药店，左炔诺孕酮和米非司酮（ECP）的供应充足。药剂师和顾客的 ECP 知识平均得分分别为 9.98±2.00 和 6.24±2.33。许多药剂师对 ECP 的作用机制、剂量和禁忌症没有足够的了解。顾客对 ECP 的立法、有效性和副作用缺乏了解。参与者对 ECP 的态度相对较为积极。有关 ECP 的可靠信息来源（如包装说明书、课程和书籍）在增加 ECP 知识和态度方面发挥着至关重要的作用（p<0.001）。ECP 的供应（p<0.001）、教育程度（p<0.01 和 0.01）和日常销售（p<0.001）与药剂师的知识/态度显著相关。年龄、教育程度、婚姻状况和职业与顾客的知识显著相关。参与者的知识与他们对 ECP 的态度显著相关（p=0.02 和 p<0.001，分别）。
药剂师对 ECP 的了解相对较好，而顾客的了解则较差。需要制定政策和干预措施，以提高药剂师和顾客对 ECP 的知识和态度。
社区药房是分发避孕方法的理想场所，特别是非处方 ECP。社区药剂师可以帮助确保药店供应 ECP，增加妇女获得 ECP 的机会，并为顾客提供关于这些药物的最新和全面的知识，从而确保 ECP 的合理使用。
