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Research article
Pharmacy Preparedness and Response for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Aksum, Ethiopia; a Qualitative Exploration
Gebremicheal Gebreslassie Kasahun
Aksum University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8981-1832
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published version at BMC Health Services Research.
Background
Novel Coronavirus is a global pandemic affecting all walks of life and it significantly changed the health system practices. Pharmacists are at the front line and have long been involved in combating this public health emergency. Therefore, the study was aimed to explore pharmacy preparedness and response to prevent and control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods
A qualitative study was conducted in six pharmacies in Aksum, Ethiopia in May, 2020. We conducted six in-depth interviews with purposively selected key informants. Direct observation measures were made to assess the activities made in the medicine retail outlets for the prevention and control of the pandemic. Interview data were audio-recorded, translated and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data and OpenCode version 4.02 software was used to facilitate the data analysis.
Results
The thematic analysis has resulted in seven major themes. Good preparedness measures were undertaken to control and prevent COVID-19. Participants had good knowledge about the pandemic disease and reported they had used different resource materials to update themselves. Preparing of alcohol-based hand-rub; availing finished sanitizers and alcohol; and advising clients to maintain physical distancing were the major counseling information being delivered to prevent the disease. Some tendencies of irrational drug use and false claims of COVID-19 were observed at the beginning of the pandemic. Interview informants had reported they were working with relevant stakeholders and appropriate patient education and support were given to combat the pandemic disease.
Conclusion
The study revealed necessary pharmacy services has been rendered to all clients. However, availability of drugs and medical supplies were scarce which negatively affected the optimal delivery of pharmacy services. The government and other responsible bodies should work together to solve such problems and contain the pandemic disease.
Keywords
Pharmacy service, Community pharmacy, Hospital pharmacy, COVID-19, SARS CoV-2
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
Version 1
Posted 08 Jun, 2020
Published
On 02 Oct, 2020
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Editor assigned
On 03 Jun, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 03 Jun, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 03 Jun, 2020
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On 02 Jun, 2020
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On 02 Jun, 2020
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Health Services Research. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Pharmacy Preparedness and Response for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Aksum, Ethiopia; a Qualitative Exploration
Gebremicheal Gebreslassie Kasahun
Aksum University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8981-1832
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
Version 1
Posted 08 Jun, 2020
Published
On 02 Oct, 2020
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 03 Jun, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 03 Jun, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 03 Jun, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 02 Jun, 2020
Editor invited
On 02 Jun, 2020
First submitted
On 28 May, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published version at BMC Health Services Research.
Background
Novel Coronavirus is a global pandemic affecting all walks of life and it significantly changed the health system practices. Pharmacists are at the front line and have long been involved in combating this public health emergency. Therefore, the study was aimed to explore pharmacy preparedness and response to prevent and control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods
A qualitative study was conducted in six pharmacies in Aksum, Ethiopia in May, 2020. We conducted six in-depth interviews with purposively selected key informants. Direct observation measures were made to assess the activities made in the medicine retail outlets for the prevention and control of the pandemic. Interview data were audio-recorded, translated and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data and OpenCode version 4.02 software was used to facilitate the data analysis.
Results
The thematic analysis has resulted in seven major themes. Good preparedness measures were undertaken to control and prevent COVID-19. Participants had good knowledge about the pandemic disease and reported they had used different resource materials to update themselves. Preparing of alcohol-based hand-rub; availing finished sanitizers and alcohol; and advising clients to maintain physical distancing were the major counseling information being delivered to prevent the disease. Some tendencies of irrational drug use and false claims of COVID-19 were observed at the beginning of the pandemic. Interview informants had reported they were working with relevant stakeholders and appropriate patient education and support were given to combat the pandemic disease.
Conclusion
The study revealed necessary pharmacy services has been rendered to all clients. However, availability of drugs and medical supplies were scarce which negatively affected the optimal delivery of pharmacy services. The government and other responsible bodies should work together to solve such problems and contain the pandemic disease.