Study of a pharmacists experience and knowledge concerning contraception methods

Pharmacist competence and knowledge about contraception By A. Galatiltienė and G. Vaškūnienė. Master’s Thesis. Supervisor: doc. Jolita Zakarevičienė Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and gynecology clinic. Aim: to evaluate Vilnius pharmaceutical specialist knowledge about contraception, their consultation quality and patients who are buying contraceptive products knowledge about them. Methods: A questionnaire test was chosen for a survey, original questionnaires were prepaired. During the investigation 100 pharmacists, working in the Vilnius city and district pharmacies, and 100 patients that came to their pharmacies to buy a contraceptive product, were surveyed. The survey was performed anonymously. Received data analysis, graphs and tables created using Microsoft Office Excel 2016 program. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: both patients and pharmacists have a good enough knowledge about contraception. 45,8% of the patients the most reliable contraception named pills and pharmaceutical specialists - the IUD (51.9%). 67 out of 100 patients evaluated the reliability of the SKT 100%. Most patients are aware of the pill (21%), condoms (28.9%) and spirals introduced into the uterus (25.4%). 52% patients of our survey are using contraception (the most popular – combined contraceptive pills (22%)). 30% of patients believe that the strongest side effects, which can cause hormonal contraception is anxiety and fear. Usually pharmacists have to give advise patients of reproductive age (45%). 90% of the surveyed pharmacists interested in innovations about contraception and frequently improve their knowledge reading the scientific literature. The aspirations of the majority to know more about contraception is motivated by the need to provide a fair and targeted information to patients (75%). Conclusions: 1. Pharmacists knowledge about contemporary contraception is good: the majority of pharmacists are interested in innovation and generally improve their knowledge by reading the scientific literature. Pharmacists are interested in contraception because they want to provide women with a fair and accurate information. However, not always pharmaceutical professionals provides pharmaceutical information how to properly use the product. 2. The survey revealed that the most popular contraceptive products are hormonal composition. Their choice is determined by the woman's age and lifestyle. Obviously, one of the most commonly used hormonal contraception remains to be tablets. However, women's knowledge about contraceptive working mechanisms, side effects and other medical indications for the use of contraceptives is very low