An overview of the experience of Iraqi COVID-19 patients, andthe role of the pharmacists during their infection

Main Article Content

Razan Nassar https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8952-0376
Iman A. Basheti https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8460-1158
Alhareth Ahmad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1882-3246
Shaymaa Al-Majmaie https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3860-8188
Dima Awajan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1300-3353
Ruaa R. Al-Alwany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1319-9659
Ayman Nassar https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4263-6483
Samar Thiab https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4263-6483

Keywords

COVID-19, Pharmacists, Iraq, Patient care, Medication management

Abstract

Background: The global healthcare systems have faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pharmacists have been frontline healthcare workers playing a pivotal role during this pandemic. This study aimed to understand the experiences of Iraqi COVID-19 patients and highlight the role of pharmacists during their infection. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based study was conducted among the Iraqi public. Inclusion criteria comprised individuals residing in Iraq who had previously contracted COVID-19. The survey assessed demographic information, the COVID-19 experience of participants, and the role of pharmacists from the patient’s perspective. Results: Over 561 participants from various Iraqi cities responded. Most participants (43.5%) stated that their infection source was mainly contacting infected family or friends. About 40.0% of the participants required a specialist doctor visit during their infection, 5.9% required hospitalization, and 1.6% required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Regarding herbal products, 42.8% of the study’s participants used herbs. Fatigue and fever were the most comely reported symptoms. Vitamin C and analgesics were the most used supplements/medications. Of the participants, 35.0% stated that they visited a pharmacy in person, while 31.2% contacted pharmacists through a third person. Nearly half of the respondents strongly agreed or agreed with the statements highlighting the proactive role of pharmacists in providing medical advice, prevention tips, medication instructions, and drug-to-drug interaction guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The study highlights the significant role of pharmacists in Iraq during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing their importance in patient care, medication management, and delivering health advice. Collaborative efforts between pharmacists and other healthcare professionals can further optimize patient care during health crises.

Abstract 164 | PDF Downloads 116

References

1. Alsayed R, Ali A, Makia R, et al. “Challenges facing Iraq to tackle the spread of COVID-19: An overview.” Journal of university of Anbar for Pure science. 2022;14(2):22-7.
2. Nassar RI, Thiab S, Alkoudsi KT, et al. “COVID-19 infected patients’ experiences in Syria, and the role of the pharmacists during their infection.” Pharmacotherapy.2022;20(1):2617. https://doi.org/10.18549/pharmpract.2022.1.2617
3. Rahim BIH. “Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of staff and students at Sulaiman polytechnic university towards COVID-19/Iraq” Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 2020;14(4):814-21. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i4.11589 
4. Al-Malkey MK, Al-Sammak MA. “Incidence of the COVID-19 in Iraq – Implications for travellers” Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2020;38:101739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101739
5. “Iraq: COVID-19 Situation Report No. 12, 26 April 2020” UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.” 
6. Alwhaibi A, Alrwaished A, Binobydaan S, et al. “Role of pharmacist during COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study focused on critically ill COVID-19 patients” Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2021;29(9)1050-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2021.07.010 7. T. W. H. Organization, “Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic”.
8. Ministry Of Health, “COVID-19”.
9. FIP. “Information and interim guidelines for pharmacists and the pharmacy workforce” International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP Health Advisory). 2020.
10. Basheti IA, Elhajji F, Nassar R, et al. “Pharmacists’ awareness of COVID-19 and perceptions of their roles, barriers, and roles of policymakers: Exploring the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)” International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2021;75(6):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.14074
11. Huang C, Wang, Y, Li X, et al. “Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China” The Lancet. 2020;395(10223):497-506. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30183-5
12. Tabachnick BG, Fidell L. Using Multivariate Statistics (5th Ed.). NY: Allyn & Bacon, 2006.
13. Visacri MB, Figueiredo IV, de M Lima T. “Role of pharmacist during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review” Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy. 2021;17(1):1799.https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SAPHARM.2020.07.003
14. “COVID-19: GUIDELINES FOR PHARMACISTS AND THE PHARMACY WORKFORCE INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL FEDERATION”.
15. Bahlol M, Dewey RS. “Pandemic preparedness of community pharmacies for COVID-19” Res Social Adm Pharm. 2021;17(1):1888-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SAPHARM.2020.05.009
16. S. Mcconachie, D. Martirosov, B. Wang, et al. “Surviving the surge: Evaluation of early impact of COVID-19 on inpatient pharmacy services at a community teaching hospital” Am J Health Syst Pharm, vol. 77, no. 23, pp. 1994–2002, Dec. 2020;77(23):1994-2002. https://doi.org/10.1093/AJHP/ZXAA189

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>