A Nigerian State Wide Survey on Pharmacists’ Knowledge, Attitude, Beliefs, and Barriers Towards Breast Cancer Health Promotion

OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and a leading cause of mortality among women in developing countries including Nigeria. Pharmacists are trusted and easily accessible healthcare providers who could be engaged in breast cancer health promotion.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 250 pharmacists using a pretested, structured 64-item questionnaire. Responses were documented using Excel and analyzed using Statistical Products and Service Solutions Version 26 (SPSS). Chi Square was used for further analysis. Statistical significance was set to a P value of < 0.05.

RESULTS: Response rate was 82.4% (206/250). The median knowledge score was 71.3%. Majority were 21 to 30 years, 141 (68.4%). Majority were aware that breast cancer was the most common form of cancer among women 187 (90.8%); 179 (86.9%), identified family history of breast cancer as risk factor for breast cancer and 198 (96.1%) agreed that appropriate early screening for breast cancer reduces breast cancer mortality; 135 (65.5%) agreed that integrating breast cancer health promotion into their daily practice is important, majority agreed that not having enough time to provide breast cancer health promotion to patients visiting the pharmacy was a main barrier to breast cancer health promotion 104 (50.5%). There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (P-value < 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacists in in this study had good knowledge and positive attitude towards breast cancer health promotion. Lack of questions from patients and time respectively were the main barriers to breast cancer health promotion. Pharmacists demonstrated a favorable outlook towards promoting the health of patients with this condition.