Abstract

Fawzi Thomas*, Stella F. Usifoh, Joseph Sam Kanu and William Jimmy

ABSTRACT

Background: The prevalence of hypertension in Sierra Leone is well established and at an average of 46.2% for females and 43.2% of males based on several studies. The management of hypertension requires a multi-disciplinary effort from healthcare professionals (Doctor, Pharmacist, Nurses) as well as the patient. The first point of contact for most patients is the pharmacist working in a community pharmacy. The role of the Pharmacists in hypertension encompasses medication management, disease state education and patient counseling and is most successful when integrated into the patient's care team. Further validation through larger, prospective trials and evaluation of long-term outcomes, such as mortality, remain viable research opportunities. This study was conducted to assess community Pharmacists knowledge in hypertension, to determine whether community pharmacists are well-acquainted with their roles in managing hypertension as well as to assess how community pharmacists manage or treat hypertensive patients. Method: The study was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted at community pharmacies in the central part of Freetown. All Pharmacists working in community pharmacies in central Freetown were included in this study. According to the Pharmacy Board’s Gazette of 2018, there is a total of 58 community pharmacists working in this study setting giving a sample size of 58. The outcome measures were demographics, years of experience, knowledge in hypertension, role in management of hypertension, Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire .The data was analysed using SPSS and Microsoft excel to produce Graphs and Tables. Result: The results showed more male pharmacists 42(72.4%) than female community Pharmacists 16 (27.6%). 39.7% has between 2-5 years of experience working in community pharmacies. Most pharmacists showed they were knowledgeable or having a high knowledge on hypertension as 86.2% were able to correctly define hypertension,82.8% and 63.8% can identify obesity and age as a risk factor for hypertension, however most don’t know their roles in the management of hypertension as 13.8% don’t take blood pressure measurements of their patients even when they suspect hypertension, 69.0% and 53.4% of community pharmacists never ask patients about laboratory tests such GFR and ECG respectively. Gaps where also identified with respect to how to manage hypertension especially with the right forms of medications with only 20.7% that sometimes asking whether patients are on hypertensive medications and with only 44.8% of Community pharmacists that ask for prescription for new patients. The lack of a pharmaceutical care model or a Pharmacist/Doctor /Physician collaboration in the management of hypertension was also clearly visible