ASSESSMENT OF HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY IN NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21010/Ajidv20i2.1Abstract
Background: Pharmacists play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and effective use of anticoagulants. However, their knowledge and practice in this area remain underexplored in Nigeria. This study evaluated the knowledge and practice of hospital pharmacists regarding anticoagulation therapy in Nigeria
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among conveniently sampled pharmacists in four selected tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. A validated self-administered questionnaire adopted from previous studies was used for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: A total of 126 hospital pharmacists participated in this survey, yielding a response rate of 96.3%. More than half of the pharmacists (n =76, 60.3%) had good knowledge of warfarin therapy. About 49.2% had a good knowledge of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Although most pharmacists regularly counsel patients on adherence to anticoagulant therapy (n =76, 60.3%), only a few checks patient’s kidney function result before dispensing warfarin (5.6%) and DOACs (6.3%). Fewer pharmacists regularly engage in structured clinical practices such as advising patients on warfarin dosing based on INR results (n =14, 11.1%). Pharmacists' knowledge of warfarin therapy was significantly associated with the practice setting (X2 =13.344, p = 0.004).
Conclusion: The study findings suggest gaps in hospital pharmacists' knowledge of warfarin and DOACs. There are inconsistencies in practice regarding the use of anticoagulants. Therefore, targeted educational interventions and the standardization of anticoagulation management protocols within hospital pharmacy practice in Nigeria are recommended to enhance the safety and therapeutic outcomes of patients on anticoagulant therapy.
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