Assessment of knowledge and attitude of health personnel towards dispensing cosmeceuticals in community retail pharmacies around Makerere University

Abstract

Background: Community health personnel play a significant role in dispensing and counseling their clients about medications as well as cosmeceuticals and other beauty products, in addition due to the increasing market share and demand for cosmeceuticals, health personnel dispensing these cosmeceuticals ought to have adequate knowledge to guide on the use and warn clients on the possible side effects (safety concerns) of these products. Objectives of the study: the study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, level of training of health personnel towards dispensing cosmeceuticals. In addition it also aimed at finding out other personnel who are involved in dispensing cosmeceuticals in the community retail pharmacies. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the month of may using a questionnaire which was approved by the Institutional Review Board school of health sciences. A consecutive sampling was employed. Results: Eighty health personnel were involved in the study. 53.8% of the participants were females and 46.2% were male and most of the participants were in the age range of 20-30 years representing 73.8%. Most of the participants had an experience of 2-5 years(46.3%). 47.5% of the respondents rated their knowledge about cosmeceuticals to be fair while only 1.3% rated their knowledge to be excellent. Only 22.5% of the respondents reported to have taken an extra course about cosmeceuticals. 52.5% reported to spend about 2-5 minutes counseling their clients about the use of these products. The respondents agreed that there is need for continuous development of communication and updating their knowledge about cosmeceuticals. Conclusion: The study revealed that the respondents only had fair knowledge about cosmeceuticals. Most of the respondents were trained in their qualifications and most had an acceptable attitude towards dispensing of cosmeceuticals.