Assessing the knowledge, attitudes and barriers regarding health promotion of breast cancer among community pharmacists

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to identify the perspective knowledge, attitudes, and barriers of community pharmacists in promoting breast cancer health. Methods: An internet-based self-Administrated questionnaire was distributed using social media groups to the community pharmacists in Jordan. Results: A 76.7% of the pharmacists had insufficient knowledge score of breast cancer and 92.7% had positive attitude. Access to breast cancer educational materials was the major barrier to pharmacists. A significant association was found between pharmacists' knowledge and breast cancer educational materials being given to patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Despite the low breast cancer knowledge score and stated barriers that could prevent actualizing community pharmacists' role, they had positive attitude toward educating patients about breast cancer health. Plain language summary The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and barriers about breast cancer health promotion among community pharmacists. An internet-based self-Administrated questionnaire was distributed using social media groups to the community pharmacists in Jordan. A 76.7% of the pharmacists had poor knowledge score of breast cancer and 92.7% had positive attitude. The major barrier to pharmacists was access to breast cancer educational materials. A strong association was found between pharmacists' knowledge and breast cancer educational materials being given to patients. Also, community pharmacists had positive attitude toward educating patients about breast cancer health.