Abstract

Background: The Cameroonian health sector battles with control of infectious diseases and emerging non-communicable diseases. Number of healthcare personnel involved in public health programs need to be boosted to contain the health challenges of the country. Therefore, it is important to assess whether community pharmacists in Cameroon are engaged in the promotion and delivery of various public health interventions. The main objective of this project was to assess the public health activities of community pharmacies in Buea, south west region, Cameroon

Methods: A cross sectional survey was carried out in Buea, south west region, Cameroon Questionnaire items were developed from literature. Percentage satisfactory knowledge and involvement was obtained. Chi square and T test were used to test for statistically significant difference in knowledge, attitude and involvement of public health between these different groups of community pharmacists.

Results: One hundred and twenty (120) pharmacists participated in the survey. Respondents from all pharmacists in buea, southwest region had satisfactory knowledge of public health. Also, their involvement was good as 95% of respondents were involved especially in screenings such as screening for blood sugar. Reported barriers to the practice of public health included lack of training, inadequate funds and impatience of patients.

Conclusion: Level of knowledge and involvement of public health by community pharmacists was satisfactory and they showed a positive attitude towards training on public health. Providing incentives for public health services rendered could further improve community pharmacists’ engagement in public health activities.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background to the Study

Public health refers to “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, public and private organizations, communities and individuals” (Winslow, 1920). The dimensions of health can encompass “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”, as defined by the United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO, 1946).

Public health systems are commonly defined as “all public, private, and voluntary entities that contribute to the delivery of essential public health services within a jurisdiction” (CDC, 2013). Examples of public health systems are healthcare providers, public safety agencies, public health agencies at state and local levels. They carry out the 10 Essential Public Health Services which describe the public health activities that all communities should undertake. They are organized according to the three fundamental purposes of public health which are Assessment, Policy development and Assurance (CDC, 2013).

The Public health systems should:

1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of healthcare when otherwise unavailable.
8. Assure competent public and personal healthcare workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems (CDC, 2013).

The focus of public health intervention is to improve health and quality of life through prevention and treatment of disease and other physical and mental health conditions (PHAC, 2005). This is done through surveillance of cases and health indicators, and through promotion of healthy behaviors. Examples of common public health measures include promotion of hand washing, breastfeeding, delivery of vaccinations, and distribution of condoms to control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (PHAC, 2005).

Community pharmacies are independent, chain, or supermarket pharmacies that directly serve the general public (Hogue et al., 2003). A systematic change has occurred in community pharmacy practice during the past 20 years. The once segregated druggist with limited public health engagement in times of epidemics or national initiatives has morphed into a medications evaluator, health educator, immunizer, and health-care partner. These changes have helped clarify and institutionalize the expression of pharmacy-based public health (Hogue et al., 2003).

Today, community pharmacists provide many services in addition to drug dispensing: medication therapy management, immunizations for children and adults, screening for diabetes and cardiovascular disease and health education consultation for a range of health risks and conditions such as diabetes, smoking cessation, weight management, hypertension, osteoporosis, and substance abuse. These practice changes highlight the fact that pharmacies are important partners for the expansion of public health access (Agomo, 2012).

• Motivation For Study

This study was motivated by the following reasons: the quest to know if community pharmacists are well informed about their role as pharmacists in carrying out public health services; the quest to know if community pharmacists are involved in public health activities knowing that they offer an accessibility that is rare among health care professionals; the quest to know if community pharmacists are going the extra mile in ensuring maximum expertise in services to their patients asides or beyond the traditional product-oriented functions of dispensing and distributing medicines and health supplies; the quest to know the possible factors that support or hinder the engagement of community pharmacists in public health activities.

1.2       Significance of Study

This study is significant in that the results obtained can be used to provide needed baseline information on pharmacists’ public health activities which can help guide policy development in this area.

1.3 Objectives

The general objective of this study is to assess public health activities of community pharmacies in selected areas in the south west region.

The specific objectives include:

1. To document the types of public health activities carried out by pharmacists, if any;
2. To determine pharmacists’ knowledge about public health;
3. To identify factors that promote public health activities of pharmacists.
4. To determine the barriers or hindrances faced by community pharmacists in carrying out public health activities;