Study of the Knowledge Attitudes and Practices of the Dispensing of Anxiolytics in Pharmacies in Senegal

INTRODUCTION: An anxiolytic is a psychotropic drug used in the treatment of pathological anxiety. Because of the risks associated with the irrational use of these drugs, their prescription and dispensing must be strictly controlled. The objective of this research is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of dispensing anxiolytics by providers of dispensing pharmacies in the region of Thies in Senegal. METHODOLOGY: This is an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study at the level of providers of dispensing pharmacies in the departments of Mbour and Thies, in October 2018. Data collection was done by direct interview with administration of a questionnaire after informed consent from the provider. They were entered and analysed using EPI-Info. 7 software. RESULTS: A total of 221 pharmacy providers were surveyed. The average age of the providers was 36.8 years with a standard deviation of 9.5 years. Married people represented 68.8%. Full time pharmacists represented 24.4%. Anxiolytic dispensing practice was good in 78.3% of the providers. Good dispensing practice depended on professional level in the pharmacy (OR=14.0 (6.2 - 33.2)), good knowledge of pharmacological effects (OR=5.5 (2.5 - 12.2)) and good knowledge of adverse effects of anxiolytics (OR=5.0 (2.0 - 12.2)). The better the knowledge of anxiolytics, the better the dispensing practice. CONCLUSION: In order to improve the practice of dispensing anxiolytics and other psychotropic drugs in general, it will be necessary to strengthen the knowledge of providers through regular continuous training and to strengthen the supervision of dispensing sites by Ministry of Health inspectors.