Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Abstract This study aimed to assess the community pharmacists' knowledge of antibiotics, their attitude toward antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance, and their nonprescription dispensing practices of antibiotics. Methods: A cross sectional-questionnaire-based study was conducted among 75 community pharmacists practicing in a selected city of South India. Data on their age, years of experience, and educational qualifications were obtained. A modified, 33-items, prevalidated structured questionnaire was used to assess the community pharmacists knowledge, attitude, and nonprescription antibiotic dispensing practices knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP). The responses obtained were expressed in descriptive statistics. The association between years of experience and their KAP was assessed using Pearson's correlation. Findings: Most pharmacists (60%) agreed that antibiotics are used for bacterial infections, and 35% believed that antibiotics could be given for pain and inflammation. Fourty-one percentage of pharmacists agreed that dispensing antibiotics without prescription increases the risk of antibiotic resistance. Seventy-two percentage agreed that they are responsible for taking a prominent role in antimicrobial resistance and infection-control programs in healthcare. Only 46% of pharmacists stated that they always dispensed antibiotics only with a prescription, and 56% dispensed antibiotics for longer than the doctor prescribed. Amoxicillin, metronidazole, and cephalexin were the most commonly dispensed antibiotics without a prescription. The most common reason for dispensing antibiotics without a prescription was the fear of losing customers. Conclusion: The study identified an average KAP interquartile range 1 among community pharmacists, indicating a lack of awareness of antibiotic resistance and dispensing antibiotics without a prescription.

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and 
practice (KAP) of 3rd- and 4th-year medical, dental, and pharmacy students 
about hepatitis B (HB) infection at a private medical university, Malaysia. 
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 
482 medical, dental, and pharmacy students of 3rd- and 4th-year degree program 
of Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology University to assess their 
KAP about HB infection using 34 prevalidated questions by convenient sampling 
method. A questionnaire was administered to the students, and their responses 
were measured at “yes” and “no” scale. Students’ responses were entered in 
SPSS version 22, and quantitative analysis was performed using descriptive 
statistics and nonparametric tests at P < 0.05. Findings: The medical, dental, 
and pharmacy students had good knowledge and practice with positive attitude 
about HB infection. Mann–Whitney U‑test determined a significant difference 
in knowledge (P < 0.001) and practice (P < 0.001) scores between medical 
and pharmacy, attitude (P < 0.001) scores between medical and dental, and 
attitude (P < 0.001) and practice (P < 0.001) scores between pharmacy and dental 
students. Students’ age was correlated with their attitude, practice, and KAP scores 
and family income with their knowledge, attitude, practice, and KAP scores. 
Conclusion: Although students’ knowledge and practice were good with positive 
attitude, all the students did not participate in health education program, screening, 
and vaccination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection which makes them more 
vulnerable to occupational HBV infection. Hence, it is recommended to organize 
a regular health education program for the students on screening and vaccination 
against HBV to prevent its infection.

Abstract This study is conducted on Iranian pharmacists, coaches, and athletes regarding sports supplements to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding sports supplements. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2015. The study population consisted of all community pharmacists, bodybuilders, and bodybuilding coaches. The questionnaire was applied consisting some demographic questions and 25 questions for assessing KAP (6, 9, and 10, respectively). The collected data were analyzed with independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Findings: In all three studied groups, the mean of KAP was upper than intermediate level 3 (P < 0.05) except the pharmacists' knowledge. A statistically significant difference appears between knowledge and age of pharmacists (P = 0.007). In addition, there was a significant relationship between coaches' practice and age (P = 0.04). Conclusion: According to the results although the studied groups have the intermediate level of KAP, organized and regular education courses are highly recommended along with paying more attention to the curriculum taught in the pharmacy schools according to the community current needs.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, perception, and practice of medical and 
pharmacy students toward the usage of sunscreen as protection for the skin against 
ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Methods: This cross‑sectional study was conducted among final year medical and 
pharmacy undergraduates at the International Islamic University Malaysia. Validated 
questionnaires were distributed to 134 medical students and 100 pharmacy students. 
Descriptive and inferential statistics were used where appropriate.
Findings: One hundred and sixty‑one out of 234 participants completed the 
questionnaires. The participants comprised 101 medical students (75.4%) and sixty 
pharmacy students (60.0%). The majority of the respondents were females (102; 63.4%), 
and 59 (36.6%) were males. The median of the knowledge scores of the final year 
medical students was significantly lower than that of the final year pharmacy 
students (P < 0.001). The female students showed significantly higher knowledge scores 
than the male students (P = 0.027). This study reported that 24 (39.3%) pharmacy 
students were influenced by the media to use sunscreen, whereas 35 (34.7%) medical 
students were influenced the most by friends to use sunscreen. The final year pharmacy 
students had a better perception compared to the medical students, with the total 
perception score of the final year pharmacy students being significantly higher than 
that of the final year medical students (P = 0.020). Most of the participants were also 
aware of the harmful effects of UV radiation and had a positive reaction toward the 
usage of sunscreen to prevent those harmful effects.
Conclusion: The knowledge and perception of final year pharmacy students were 
significantly higher than the knowledge and perception of final year medical students 
with regard to the usage of sunscreen.

Abstract Objective: In this study, we aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of 
community pharmacists toward administration of over‑the‑counter (OTC) antidiarrheal 
drugs in our city pharmacies, Shiraz, Iran.
Methods: In this descriptive cross‑sectional study, 90 pharmacies among 128 pharmacies 
in our city were randomly chosen. The study was designed into two phases: A standard 
questionnaire to determine the level of knowledge and attitude of pharmacists and a 
simulated client method to evaluate practice among them. An educational pamphlet was 
then given to the pharmacists. One month later, knowledge, attitude, and performance 
of studied pharmacists were evaluated again using the same method.
Findings: Our results showed that an average consultation time by female pharmacists 
was considerably more than male pharmacists (P < 0.001). Before intervention, only 
37.8% of pharmacists performed appropriately by prescribing the proper medicine 
while this increased to 58.44% after intervention. The average score of pharmacists’ 
knowledge was statistically increased (P < 0.001) and the pharmacists’ performance 
was significantly improved (P < 0.001) after the educational intervention. In related 
to the attitude, pharmacists’ tendency toward prescribing oral rehydration salt 
solutions (ORS)(P < 0.001) and their belief about the great effect of ORS on the treatment 
of diarrhea increased significantly after the intervention.
Conclusion: It is concluded that training programs such as educational pamphlets and 
continuing educational seminars may play important roles in increasing pharmacists’ 
knowledge and therefore improving their performance in prescribing OTC medicines.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness, and perception of 
contraception among senior pharmacy students of a public sector university in Malaysia.
Methods: A cross‑sectional, questionnaire‑based study was conducted among senior 
pharmacy students. The pretested questionnaire was used to collect data from the 
participants over the period of 1‑month. The questionnaire was divided into four sections, for 
gathering the information about students’ demographic data, and their knowledge, attitudes, 
and perception toward contraception. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Findings: The response rate was 68.6%. The results showed that the contraceptive knowledge 
was comparatively higher in year four students (P < 0.001), married respondents (P < 0.001) 
and those taking elective courses (P = 0.022) as compared to their respective counterparts. 
Majority of the students were well aware and had a positive perception about contraception.
Conclusion: Overall findings reflect that the majority of the students had good knowledge, 
perception, and awareness about contraception. The study recommends future studies to 
be conducted covering different pharmacy schools across the country to further establish 
the results.

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of 
B.Sc. Pharmacy students about usage and resistance of antibiotics in Trinidad and Tobago.
Methods: This was a cross‑sectional questionnaire‑based study involving B.Sc. Pharmacy 
students. The questionnaire was divided into five components including Demographics data, 
knowledge about antibiotic use, attitude toward antibiotic use and resistance, self‑antibiotic usage 
and possible causes of antibiotic resistance. Data were analyzed by employing Mann–Whitney 
and Chi‑square tests using SPSS version 20.
Findings: The response rate was 83.07%. The results showed good knowledge of antibiotic 
use among students. The overall attitude of pharmacy students was poor. About 75% of 
participants rarely use antibiotics, whereas self‑decision was the major reason of antibiotic 
use (40.7%) and main source of information was retail pharmacist (42.6%). Common cold and 
flu is a major problem for which antibiotics were mainly utilized by pharmacy students(35.2%).
Conclusion: The study showed good knowledge of pharmacy students regarding antibiotic 
usage. However, students’ attitude towards antibiotic use was poor. The study recommends 
future studies to be conducted with interventional design to improve knowledge and attitude 
of pharmacy students about antibiotic use and resistance.