Awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among pharmacy students in Zambia

Aim This study aimed to assess the awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among pharmacy students in Zambia. Materials and Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among 326 undergraduate pharmacy students in Lusaka, Zambia, from February to April 2021. Data were analysed using Stata version 16.1. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine key factors influencing vaccine acceptance. Results Of the 326 participants, 98.8% were aware of the COVID-19 vaccines, but only 24.5% would accept vaccination. Compared to other religions, being of Christian faith was associated with reduced odds of awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine (aOR=0.01, 95% CI: 0.01-0.20). Conversely, factors associated with vaccine acceptance were being male, single and unemployed. Compared to females, male respondents were 86% more likely to accept the vaccine if it was made available (aOR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.10-3.14). In addition, unmarried respondents were 2.65 times as likely to accept vaccination than married respondents (aOR=2.65, 95% CI: 1.06-6.63). Conversely, unemployed respondents were less likely to accept vaccination than their employed counterparts (aOR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.16-0.46). Barriers to the acceptability of the vaccine were possible side effects (78.5%) and scepticism about its effectiveness (10.2%). Conclusion There was significant vaccine hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccines among Zambian pharmacy students despite their awareness of the vaccines. Health authorities must work collaboratively with training institutions to mitigate vaccine hesitancy, especially with healthcare students being a key part of the future healthcare workforce overseeing disease prevention strategies.

Commonwealth Pharmacist Partnership develops antimicrobial stewardship and infection control in Zambia

Background: Misuse of antimicrobials combined with poor infection prevention and control (IPC) can result in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Health partnerships are ideally placed to enhance antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) through sharing up-to-date evidence and implementing best practice. Purpose(s): Brighton Lusaka Pharmacy Link (BLPL) was awarded a Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardships Scheme (CwPAMS) grant to implement AMS at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) (THET, 2020). Pharmacists-led AMS prescribing and monitoring activities aim to implement a robust data collection system and measure the impact of interventions reducing misuse and overuse of antibiotics while increasing knowledge about on IPC and AMS. Method(s): BLPL conducted a three-day workshop in Zambia for pharmacists, physicians, nurses and allied healthcare professionals at UTH to enhance AMS and point prevalence surveillance (PPS). IPC training was provided by the experienced Ndola IPC team. Train the trainer workshops enables UTH to disseminate AMS, PPS, IPC and data collection standards. Result(s): Proactive MDT committee to manage AMS and IPC activities at UTH was established Specialist AMS pharmacist appointed Two Global-PPS undertaken Modified antibiotic prescribing chart introduced and audited-UTH antimicrobial guidelines updated AMS modular training programme for health care accredited by UNZAforCPD recognition-34 IPC trainers trained Bare-below-the-elbow dress code (BBE) adopted nationally by HOPAZ WHO hand-rub production expanded Conclusion(s): This model of pharmacist-led AMS demonstrates sustainability in locally driven AMS knowledge and seeded national IPC capacity-building whilst instigating behavioural change pertinent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19, health care and self-medication issues in resource-limited settings: Findings and implications based on experiences in Ghana

Introduction and Objectives: There have been concerns with the level of misinformation regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its treatment, drug shortages, as well as increased use and prices of anti-malarials, antibiotics and hygiene products during the recent pandemic. Community pharmacists can play a significant role in disease prevention and treatment in the fight against COVID-19 including providing hygiene information and medicine availability across Africa and generally. Consequently, there is a need to review the role of community pharmacists in preventing unintended consequences during any pandemic as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the demand, availability and prices of suggested medicines for its management. Materials and Methods: Multiple approaches involving a qualitative review of the management of COVID-19 across countries coupled with a pilot study in Ghana among six purposely selected community pharmacists during the early stages of the pandemic assessing patterns of demand, availability and prices of medicines suggested for the management of COVID-19. Alongside this, pharmacists' future role enhancing appropriate medicine use in Ghana and wider combined with the help of senior level co-authors. Results: The majority (five out of six) of pharmacists in Ghana reported increased demand for hydroxychloroquine, antibiotics and vitamins as immune boosters resulting in shortages with price increases particularly for anti-malarials. Conclusion: The global lockdown had impacted on the supply and prices of medicines in Ghana similar to other countries. Community pharmacists can play a key role with encouraging safe medicine use, reducing self-purchasing of medicines and planning workflows during future pandemics including vaccinations. They can also help address potential misinformation and its consequences as well as the unintended consequences of pandemics including better management of non-communicable diseases.