Readiness and Willingness to Provide Immunization Services: A Survey of Community Pharmacists in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: A significant goal of the World Health Organization is the global control of certain infectious diseases. Immunization is vital in the prevention of infection from vaccine-preventable diseases. Low immunization coverage has led to a low rate of vaccination. Thus, the inclusion of community pharmacists into the immunization scheme is paramount to ensure broader and faster vaccination coverage. Objective: To assess the community pharmacists’ readiness and willingness to provide immunization services with Anambra State as a focus area. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and conducted among community pharmacists in Anambra state using a self-administered questionnaire to determine the readiness and willingness of the community pharmacists to provide immunization services. Descriptive analysis was used, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23. Results: The majority of the respondents, 110 (74.3%), expressed their willingness to provide immunization services. Also, out of the 148 participants, 103(69.6) identified multiple limiting factors or barriers to providing immunization services, mainly a lack of training to deliver these services 142 (96.0%) and not having storage facilities in my pharmacy to provide immunization services  106 (71.6%). Lastly, 77 (52%) identified solutions to these barriers. Pharmacists who offer immunization services should be well paid 96 (65.2%), and the provision of better storage facilities improve Pharmacists’ involvement with immunization 79 (53.4%) were the leading solutions identified.  Conclusion: Findings from the study suggest that community pharmacists are ready and willing to provide immunization services.