Insights into disease and pharmacotherapy knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease among community pharmacists: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

To assess the knowledge level and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, including knowledge about the disease, pharmacotherapy, provision of patient education and associated factors among community pharmacists across Turkey and Northern Cyprus.

Methods

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among community pharmacists working in Turkey (Group A) and Northern Cyprus (Group B). Disease and pharmacotherapy knowledge of AD were assessed using AD Knowledge Scale (ADKS), and drug treatment (KADT) scale, respectively.

Results

Both groups reported a moderate level of knowledge of AD, especially medically-oriented domains, with no significant difference regarding the mean ADKS domains (18.8 ± 2.8 vs. 18.9 ± 3.4; p = .98). Nevertheless, participants from both groups reported a good level of KADT knowledge about AD treatment (p = .03). Group A reported a statistically significant higher level of knowledge about drug interactions compared with Group B (54.6% vs. 45.8%; p = .01), and knowledge about proper information (79.6% vs. 31.8%; p = .02). There was a statistically significant KADT difference correlated with gender, those having a Master degree, more than 5 years of work experience, and those taking AD training courses.

Conclusion

There is still a lack of knowledge regarding AD reported by moderate ADKS score, especially in medically-oriented domains, which creates a barrier to early provision of care and preventing AD, noted with no difference among community pharmacists across Turkey and Northern Cyprus.

Keywords:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• community pharmacists
• geriatrics
• knowledge
• Turkey

Transparency

Declaration of funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. The authors have no conflict of interest to be declared. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

Al-taie A and Yardimci T, conceived of the study. Al-taie A and Yilmaz ZK reviewed the literature, conducted the quality assessment, and extracted the data. Al-taie A developed the methods and drafted the manuscript. Yilmaz ZK and Dahman H reviewed the data, participated, and supported the data interpretation. Al-taie A was the project manager and advisor on the project. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Data availability statement

Data is available for review from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval for the study was granted by Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University and Acibadem Healthcare Institutions Medical Research Ethics Committee, Istanbul, Turkey (approval number: 2022-06/35). All study participants were informed about the study’s purpose, provided with the informed consent form, and giving the opportunity to give their approval on the website.