Abstract

ASSESSMENT TO AWARENESS OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS REGARDING ADVERSE EFFECTS COUNSELING

Nihal Abdalla Orsad Ornasir, Shayoub M. El. A., Abd Alla Ah. M. Al. A., Ali. M. Elhassan Shayoub*, Sa M. Al. Mokashfy, F. I. A. Azza,
D. H. D Mohmoud, As. N. Hisham Osman

Abstract

The anticoagulant effect of warfarin is influenced by various factors, and fluctuations in the intensity of the anticoagulant effect of warfarin can increase the risk of both hemorrhagic complications and recurrent thromboembolism. Pharmacists and other providers can improve adherence to the medication schedule, as well as ensure the safety and efficacy of warfarin therapy, by providing appropriate education to patients treated with this agent. The aim of this study to assess awareness of community pharmacists regarding warfarin –adverse effects counseling. Descriptive prospective community pharmacy-based study, carried out among 86 community pharmacies at Khartoum State, self –administered structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data, experience and knowledge of pharmacists towards adverse effects of warfarin effects counseling. Data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social science and results presented in tables and graphs. Out of 86 pharmacists, the majority 72 (83.7%) were in the age of 23 – 32 years, female to male ratio was 2.3: 1, 68 (79.1%) had experience for 1-7 years. The study resulted that 26 (30.2%) participants had knowledge about adverse effects of Warfarin, while 29 (33.7%) participants had knowledge about signs and symptoms of over coagulation. the study concluded the studied community pharmacists showed good knowledge in towards adverse effects of warfarin, but poor knowledge towards signs and symptoms of over coagulation.

Keywords: warfarin, over coagulation, community pharmacist.