Pharmacists counselling of pregnant women: Web-based, comparative study between Serbia and Norway.

Midwifery. 2016 Sep;40:79-86. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2016.06.003. Epub 2016 Jun 10.

Odalović M¹, Milanković S², Holst L³, Nordeng H⁴, Heitmann K³, Tasić L⁵.

Author information

• ¹Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: mpetric@pharmacy.bg.ac.rs.
• ²Hospital Pharmacy Bergen, Sjukehusapoteket i Bergen, Jonas Lies Vei 89, 5008 Bergen, Norway.
• ³Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care/Centre for Pharmacy, University of Bergen, P.O 7804, N-5018 Bergen, Norway.
• ⁴PharmacoEpidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O 1068 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
• ⁵Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To describe, compare and evaluate whether pharmacists in two European countries, Serbia and Norway, give appropriate counselling for common ailments in pregnancy.

DESIGN:

A cross sectional, web-based study.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS:

A study was conducted among Serbian and Norwegian pharmacists during two four-month study periods in 2012 respectively 2014. Participants were recruited through postal and electronic invitation facilitated by several pharmacy chains. Participation in the study was anonymous and voluntary.

MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT:

Pharmacists were presented with the questionnaire that included five scenarios (back pain, heavy legs, nausea, cold and constipation in pregnancy) and were asked to give their advice about use of medicines, supplements (e.g. herbal products, vitamins, minerals), non-pharmacological treatment and referral to physician in each condition.

FINDINGS:

In total, 276 pharmacists, 119 in Serbia and 157 in Norway, accepted to participate in the study. Recommendation about medicines use ranged from 32% (heavy legs) to 71% (back pain) in Serbia and from 3% (heavy legs) to 92% (constipation) in Norway. Several pharmacists' recommendations on medicines and supplements use were inappropriate. Recommendation about non-pharmacological treatments ranged from 11% (nausea) to 50% (heavy legs) in Serbia and from 12% (constipation) to 63% (cold) in Norway. Approximately 12% of the Norwegian and Serbian pharmacists offered referral to a physician as only advice for nausea in pregnancy, indicating a lack of confidence in or knowledge about this common ailment in pregnancy.

KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:

Large differences in counselling of pregnant women by pharmacists in Serbia and Norway were observed. Enhancement of pharmacists' knowledge about treatment of common ailments in pregnancy is needed and will enhance pharmacists' role in improving maternal health.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Counselling; Norway; Pharmacist; Pregnancy; Serbia