Investigating the Public Awareness and Utilization of Health Screening Services Offered by Community Pharmacies

Abstract

Background: Community pharmacies are the integral part of the healthcare system offering healthcare services for patients. Pharmacists are expanding their roles by providing pharmaceutical services and comprehensive pharmaceutical care. Health screenings played an important role in early detection of diseases and potential risk factors. Objectives: To assess the extent of awareness, utilization and impact of using health screening services offered by community pharmacy among public and to identify the barriers to access these services. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in different cities of Punjab, Pakistan. Data was collected using validated questionnaire after getting consent from general public. The sample size for this study was 151. SPSS version 26th was used as a statistical tool to analyze data. P-value < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results:  Health screening services were more used by middle age individuals and adults. Individuals holding bachelor’s degree (41.2%) and female respondents (42.9%) showed more satisfactory response than male respondents. Blood pressure screenings (53.6%), diabetes screenings (28.5%) and other services (34.4%) were mostly used by the participants Barriers to health screening services include lack of awareness, lack of time and preference to visit doctor. Conclusion: Screening services offered at community pharmacies are found satisfactory, convenient and economical by most people. However utilization of these services is less frequent indicating a need for improved awareness and public education about the services offered by community pharmacy. Attention should be given to reduce barriers to the use of health screening services.