BACKGROUND: Stigma affects the quality of life of the mentallyill, and health professionals are considered to be involved in possessing negative attitudes towards them. We evaluated the prevalence of stigmatization among different health professionals in Nigerian hospitals.METHODS: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional and comparative survey assessing attitudinal views of health professionals (doctors, pharmacists, and nurses) regarding mental illness in two hospitals in Eastern Nigeria. The survey utilized the 40-item Community Attitude to Mental Illness, CAMI-2 questionnaire. The prevalence and the factors that contribute to negative attitudes among this cohort were assessed. Statistical analysis using T-tests, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation were conducted.RESULTS: Attitudes to all the four constructs of the CAMI-2 werenon-stigmatizing. Stigmatizing attitudes were significantly higheramong pharmacists, doctors and then nurses (p<0.006). Health professionals who did not have contact with the mentally ill (p<0.0001), who were males (p=0.008) and had lower years of working experience (p=0.031) expressed significantly higher stigmatizing attitudes towards the mentally ill.Conclusions: Nigerian health professionals were largely non-stigmatizingtowards the mentally ill. However, being a pharmacist, of male gender, and working in a non-psychiatric hospital were associated with stigmatizing attitudes when they exist.KEYWORDS: Mental illness; Stigma; Health Professionals;Survey

Objectives: Studies show that clinical pharmacy services are effective in optimizing medicines use and patients' outcomes. This study aimed to determine the clinical pharmacy services provided in public sector hospitals in Nigeria.Methods: This was an online survey of 296 primary, secondary and tertiary care hospitals sampled purposively across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria. Data analysis was conducted descriptively via χ 2 test and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).Key findings: Responses were obtained from 272 hospitals in the country with a survey completion rate of 88%. This included 55 tertiary, 72 secondary and 145 primary healthcare centres (PHCs). Pharmacists provided pharmaceutical care services in all the tertiary care hospitals, 94% of the secondary and in only 6% of the PHCs surveyed. Most of the secondary and tertiary care hospitals provided medicines information, patient education and counselling, and in-patient dispensing services [n = 97 (79%), 116 (94%), 88 (72%)], respectively. However, fewer than a third reported involvement in multidisciplinary ward rounds, medication chart review and antibiotic stewardship programmes [n = 18 (15%), 33 (27%), 22 (18%), respectively]. Furthermore, medication error reporting and pharmacovigilance services were each routinely provided in only about half of the secondary and tertiary care hospitals [n = 62 (50%)], and this was not associated with the level of care (P > 0.05).Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate disparity in clinical pharmacy service availability across the various levels of care in Nigeria and emphasize the need to prioritize their integration within the primary care sector.

Rationale: The pharmacist charged with the responsibility of drug administration and counseling should have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate the use of metered dose inhalers (MDIs) to asthma patients for the maximization of treatment outcomes. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the community pharmacists' knowledge of the appropriate use of MDIs in Anambra State, Nigeria. Methods: The study was carried out in two major cities in Anambra State, Nigeria, using 41 registered community pharmacists. A simulated patient approach utilizing two adequately trained pharmacy students were used. Obtained data were analyzed using independent t-test and one-way ANOVA through SPSS version 18. Results: The pharmacists had a mean demonstration score of 45.45%. Step number seven of the correct use of MDI, which involves breathing in and depressing the canister was the most demonstrated step (90.2%) while step 4 which involves tilting the head back slightly was the least demonstrated (14.6%) by the pharmacists. Among five identified critical steps in asthma guideline used, two were well demonstrated (75.6% and 90.2%): one averagely demonstrated (51.2%) and two poorly demonstrated (39% and 31.7%). Sociodemographic characteristics did not influence the demonstration ability of the pharmacists in this study. Conclusion: The study indicated that community pharmacists lacked the adequate knowledge of appropriate use of MDI. Training programs for pharmacists focusing on the use of such devices will enable them to educate patients on the effective use of MDIs in patients with asthma.

Background: The increasing migration of health workers from low- and middle-income countries is an ongoing public health concern. This study evaluated the brain drain potential of pharmacy students in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of final year pharmacy students from three Nigerian universities. Data collection was done via a 46-item self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were 377 respondents. Reasons for potential emigration included better standard of living (n=334, 88.6%), access to advanced technology (n=330, 87.5%) and opportunity for professional development (n=341, 90.5%) in the destination countries. Respondents younger than 25 years were more likely to have a high emigration potential compared to those older (98.6% vs 84.6%, ꭓ2=10.816, p=0.029). Conclusion: This study showed high emigration potential for the surveyed final year pharmacy students. This highlights the need for interventions that will promote retention and limit brain drain.

Prescribing practices for pediatric out-patients: A case study of two teaching hospitals in Nigeria