Role of pharmacists and community pharmacies in screening, knowledge and awareness investigation about diabetes mellitus type 2 of Jordanian people visiting community pharmacies

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe problem is that approximately half of people with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease. Because there are few signs or symptoms in the early stages of diabetes, unnoticed symptoms will persist until diabetic complications appear just before D.M. is diagnosed. Diabetes is increasing exponentially worldwide, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. This study aims to determine Jordanians’ awareness of type 2 diabetes among those who visit community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan, as well as clarify the role of community pharmacies in T2DM screening.MethodsThe design was based on participants who visited community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan, in 2021. The personal contact interview questionnaire collected demographic information, geographic location, educational attainment, and insurance status. In addition, we created 15 knowledge questions. The study included 305 participants. Descriptive and regression analyses were deployed by using SPSS,ResultsA significant relationship between the type of medical degree and knowledge of risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus was confirmed in this study (p <0.012). Some subjects scored slightly higher than others (n = 175; 57.4% of participants scored above 7, compared to n = 130; 42.6% scored below 7). Although 50.5% of the participants (n = 154) held a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, these degrees did not improve the participants’ knowledge levels. The association was tested using chi-square analysis, but no significance was found.ConclusionsRandom visitors to Jordanian community pharmacies are expected to benefit from the current awareness and education campaign. These test results revealed a lack of knowledge, indicating the need for education to dispel myths and highlight the serious risks associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study discovered that participants’ understanding of diabetes disease prevention through lifestyle and dietary changes was inadequate. A specialist-led educational program may increase knowledge among visitors who participate. In order to prevent the spread of diabetes, more campaigns and health-promoting prevention educational activities are required.