Port-Harcourt Pharmacists Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Medication Therapy Management and Its Application in Chronic Kidney Disease Management

Background: Managing ill patients frequently and those taking many prescription drugs is a challenge and of public health concerns due to danger of polypharmacy and multiple skilled sets required. Of recent there is an alarming rise of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) prevalence globally with associated significant morbidity and mortality. Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is therefore advocated in the management of CKD. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of medication therapy management and its application in CKD management among hospital pharmacists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. To evaluate various challenges and barriers towards providing MTM services in CKD management and to recommend possibly solutions where necessary. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out with a questionnaire that focused on the objectives of the study. Seven randomly selected hospital (including two tertiary hospitals, secondary and private hospitals) were used in the study. Data was collected from 109 hospital pharmacists from November, 2022 to April, 2023. Ethical clearance and respondent informed consent were obtained for this study. Results: This study revealed that most of pharmacists’ respondents (94.5%) demonstrated high level of knowledge regarding MTM service and showed positive attitudes (97.2%) about MTM services. In terms of practice, only 50.5% of the pharmacists apply their knowledge of MTM services in the management of chronic kidney disease. One of the most common challenges observed is lack of collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Two major barriers towards providing MTM services reported in this study are lack of support staff (81%) and negative physician attitude (77%). Conclusion: Pharmacist respondent demonstrated significantly high level of knowledge of MTM services. This knowledge was not translated in effective and efficient management of CKD in the hospitals due to lack of interprofessional collaboration. Improvement of interprofessional collaboration including positive physician attitude and recruitment of support staff are sine qua non to utilization of MTM services in the management of CKD in hospitals of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Author(s): Amara Oluebube Onyeizugbe* and Lucky Legbosi Nwidu

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