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Background: Drugstores are preferred patients' channels of contact when getting minor ailments. Given the hike in both the prevalence and severity of influenza and acute childhood diarrhea, the role, and performances of pharmacy staff should be examined. Design and methods: A team of pharmacy students was voluntarily recruited and trained to play the role of simulated customer visiting 228 chosen community pharmacies in six districts in Can Tho city. This process is conducted from 2021 to 2022. Results: The study reveals detailed information about symptoms is the most common inquiry (99.2% in scenario 1). The consulting quality is poor, 85% of instances recorded to have no medical guidelines for influenza circumstances. Meanwhile, nearly four-fifths of pharmacists provide instructions on dosage intake. It is also found that length of services is statistically different between influenza and watery diarrhea (p < 0.05, CI = 95%). Conclusions: Clinical practices of community pharmacists, overall, are disappointing and far below expectations.
RESUMEN
Introduction: Herbal medicine has a long and rich history of practice in Vietnam. The use and attitudes towards herbal medicine, during the COVID-19 pandemic was explored in this study. The aims were to examine (1) the prevalence and indications for herbal medicine use, (2) the factors associated with herbal medicine use, and (3) Vietnamese peoples' attitudes towards herbal medicine. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Vietnamese adults aged 18 years and older, distributed equally across the Northern, Central, and Southern regions of Vietnam, between September and October 2020. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to achieve the study objectives. Results: Nearly half of the respondents reported using herbal medicine for common illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence was strongly associated with marital status, urbanicity, monthly income, and health status perception. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), honey (Mel), garlic (Allium sativum L.), and perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.) were the most commonly used herbal medicines, mainly for the treatment of sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, and fever. Nearly 70% of the participants believed herbal medicines to be safe, to have less side effects than conventional medicines, and to be effective for minor health conditions. Conclusion: The use of herbal medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic was a common practice among Vietnamese people. These findings may have implications for future medical research in Vietnam, and for policy-makers and those in the pharmaceutical industry with regard to future regulations and product development.
