ASSESSMENT OF THE PERCEPTION OF PHARMACEUTICAL CARE AMONG PHARMACISTS AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTRES IN BENIN CITY
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Abstract
: The effective integration of Pharmaceutical Care (PC) is essential for optimizing therapeutic outcomes and improving patient safety, particularly in resource- constrained Primary Healthcare (PHC) Centres. However, the successful implementation of PC
is critically dependent on the level of knowledge, attitude, and interprofessional dynamics among the entire healthcare team. Understanding these perceptions in the PHC setting is crucial for identifying enablers and systemic barriers to collaborative patient care. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the level of awareness and knowledge of PC among PHC pharmacists and other healthcare providers; assess their attitudes toward the pharmacist's role in PC provision; identify perceived barriers to PC implementation in PHC centres; and evaluate the level of interprofessional collaboration in PC delivery. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Primary Healthcare facilities within Benin City, Nigeria. A total of 150 healthcare professionals (including Pharmacists, Physicians, Nurses, and Community Health Workers) were recruited using a convenient
sampling technique. Data were collected via a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the data, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The study found a generally good overall knowledge of PC (Mean = 3.71) and a highly positive attitude (Mean = 3.85) toward its implementation. Pharmacists recorded the highest mean scores for both knowledge (4.50) and attitude (4.52), with these differences being statistically significant across professions (p = 0.000). A strong positive correlation was observed
between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.736, p < 0.05), confirming that higher understanding promotes positive disposition. The most critical barriers identified were role conflict (Mean = 3.94), lack of clinical training (Mean = 3.71), and limited staffing/high workload (Mean = 3.65). However, inter-professional collaboration was rated as generally strong (Mean score range: 3.87
– 4.03).
is critically dependent on the level of knowledge, attitude, and interprofessional dynamics among the entire healthcare team. Understanding these perceptions in the PHC setting is crucial for identifying enablers and systemic barriers to collaborative patient care. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the level of awareness and knowledge of PC among PHC pharmacists and other healthcare providers; assess their attitudes toward the pharmacist's role in PC provision; identify perceived barriers to PC implementation in PHC centres; and evaluate the level of interprofessional collaboration in PC delivery. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Primary Healthcare facilities within Benin City, Nigeria. A total of 150 healthcare professionals (including Pharmacists, Physicians, Nurses, and Community Health Workers) were recruited using a convenient
sampling technique. Data were collected via a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the data, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The study found a generally good overall knowledge of PC (Mean = 3.71) and a highly positive attitude (Mean = 3.85) toward its implementation. Pharmacists recorded the highest mean scores for both knowledge (4.50) and attitude (4.52), with these differences being statistically significant across professions (p = 0.000). A strong positive correlation was observed
between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.736, p < 0.05), confirming that higher understanding promotes positive disposition. The most critical barriers identified were role conflict (Mean = 3.94), lack of clinical training (Mean = 3.71), and limited staffing/high workload (Mean = 3.65). However, inter-professional collaboration was rated as generally strong (Mean score range: 3.87
– 4.03).
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