Practice, competency and attitude toward weight management service and the barriers for its implementation in the community pharmacy setting

Background: The World Health Organization has estimated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Jordan is up to 70% and 40% respectively. Identifying the community pharmacist’s role is required to develop effective interventions for weight management. Objective: To evaluate practice, competence, and attitudes toward weight management service (WMS), and to explore the barriers associated with its implementation at the community pharmacy setting. Methods: The present cross-sectional study utilized a validated Face to face self-administered ‎questionnaire, which was completed by community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in different areas across Jordan. In addition to the socio-demographic variables, the study questionnaire evaluated pharmacists’ practice, competency, attitudes, and the barriers for weight management services provision. Results: The participants showed inadequate practice and competency, but positive attitude towards WMS. Regression results revealed that having one to five years of work experience (OR= 2.419, 95% CI: 1.032:5.671, P<0.05), positive attitude (OR= 2.168, 95% CI: 1.285:3.656, P<0.01), and high competency (OR=3.377, 95% CI: 2.011:5.671, P<0.01) were associated with improved practice. On the other hand, having a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (OR=3.830, 95% CI: 1.259:11.649, P<0.05), and positive attitude (OR=3.590, 95% CI: 2.162:5.962, P<0.01) were associated with increased competency. Male participants showed unfavourable attitude towards the provision of WMS when compared to females (OR=0.597, 95%CI: 0.366:0.975, P<0.05), while having more than 6 years of work experience (OR=2.419, 95%CI: 1.032:5.671, P<0.05) was associated with improved attitude. Lack of patients’ recognition of obesity as a disease (55.8%), lack of private consultation area in the pharmacy (53.1%), and inability to follow-up the patients (53%) were the most reported barriers to implement these WMS. Conclusion: Despite the frequent provision of WMS and the positive attitudes toward this service, the study participants did not demonstrate enough competency and reported several barriers to provide WMS.