An overview of the experience of Iraqi COVID-19 patients, andthe role of the pharmacists during their infection
Main Article Content
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.
References
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