Determinants of community pharmacy utilization in Ghana

Abstract

Objective: To examine the determinants of community pharmacy utilization and factors influencing an individual's decision to use community pharmacy as first option for primary care services. Method: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in the Ga West district of Ghana. A total of 497 adults (18 years and above) were chosen using a three-stage cluster random sampling technique. Probit regression models were used to estimate the determinants of use of community pharmacy in general, and use of community pharmacy as first option for primary care services. Key findings: Out of 497 respondents, 415 indicated that they had used community pharmacies within the last 12 months prior to the study, while 82 indicated that they had not used community pharmacies within the same time frame. The regression results revealed that utilization of community pharmacy services was influenced by age, presence of minor ailment, distance to the nearest pharmacy, employment status, income, location and perceptions concerning pharmacists' roles. Additionally, factors influencing an individual's decision to use community pharmacy services as first option for primary care services were found to include perceptions concerning pharmacists' role, privacy, distance and waiting time. Conclusion: The findings of the study have significant implications for policy formulation, aimed at improving community pharmacy services utilization and consequently improving the quality of services offered, both in community pharmacies and mainstream hospitals.