Readiness of pharmacists and consumers for pharmacy-based chlamydia screening in Australia and Switzerland

Abstract

Objective: To assess chlamydia knowledge, willingness to undertake pharmacy-based chlamydia testing, and facilitators and barriers to such testing in consumers and community pharmacists, in Australia (AUS) and Switzerland (CH). Methods: Statements of interest were retrieved from literature and assembled into a 12-item online survey (English and German versions). Survey was disseminated through Facebook, pharmacies’ publicly available emails and professional websites (March 2015). Results: Consumers and pharmacists (AUS: ncons = 198, npharm = 162; CH: ncons = 209, npharm = 223) were predominantly female (>65%). Mean chlamydia knowledge scores (maximum of 8) were higher in Australia in consumers (AUS: 6.8 ± 1.5 vs CH: 4.2 ± 2.4; p < 0.001) and in pharmacists (AUS: 7.1 ± 1.1 vs CH: 6.1 ± 1.4; p < 0.001). High willingness of consumers to seek testing (AUS: 79.3% vs CH: 83.3%, p = 0.3) and of pharmacists to provide testing (AUS: 95.7% vs CH: 80.3%, p < 0.001) was observed. Greatest barrier for consumers was “Embarrassed about asking for a test” (AUS: 47.8% vs CH: 51.2%, p = 0.7) and “No remuneration” for pharmacists (AUS: 40.7% vs CH: 31.8%, p = 0.07). Conclusion: The majority of consumers and pharmacists support pharmacy-based chlamydia testing. There is now emerging evidence that the policy makers in Australia and Switzerland need to develop pharmacy-based chlamydia testing as core business.