Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF SUDANESE COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS, IN KHARTOUM STATE, ABOUT POSITIVE LIFE STYLE CHANGES, NUTRITION AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

Nahla Noor Aldeen Hamoda Abd Alaziz* and Kamal Addin Mohammad Ahmad Idris

Abstract

Background: Based on the new responsibilities advised by pharmaceutical care practice and accepted by pharmacists, they have to counsel customers on positive life style changes, food, and its nutritional elements. Main study objective: Assessment of the knowledge, attitude and practice of Sudanese community pharmacists, in Khartoum State, about positive life style changes, food, nutrition and dietary supplement. Materials and Methods: A structured, selfadministered, pre-piloted questionnaire of (30) questions was used to address 327 community pharmacists from Khartoum State, Sudan. Results: Majority (81.6%) of respondents were young ≤ 30 years, females were (80.4%). Majority (65.8%) had an experience of 1-5 years. Only (25.7%) of respondents have been taught a course on food and nutrition during their undergraduate studies. Respondents' knowledge about lifestyle changes, nutrition and dietary supplements was average (49.9%). Statistically significant differences (P-value < 0.05) between age variables and pharmacist’s knowledge regarding positive life style changes, food, nutrition and dietary supplement were detected. No Statistically significant differences were detected between sex and level of respondent’s education variables and pharmacist’s knowledge of above mentioned subjects. Majority (93.3%) reflected positive attitudes towards counseling patients on positive life style changes, food, nutrition and dietary supplement, and majority (89%) of respondents routinely practiced it. Conclusion and recommendations: Study results revealed that knowledge of studied Sudanese community pharmacist regarding positive life style changes, food, nutrition and dietary supplement was average. It is recommended that pharmacists receive more education, training, and updating to upgrade their knowledge on life style changes, food, nutrition and dietary supplement.

Keywords: Sudanese, Community, pharmacists, nutrition, lifestyle, changes.