Changes in community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding the management of hypertension before and after educational interventions.

Objective: To clarify changes in community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding the management of hypertension before and after attending educational interventions based on their self-report on a questionnaire survey.Method: We conducted questionnaire surveys regarding the management of hypertension with a sample of community pharmacists before and after educational interventions.Results: The proportions of pharmacists who knew the 2014 Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines, guidelines for home blood pressure measurement, reference values for hypertension based on clinic-measured blood pressure, and reference values for hypertension based on home-measured blood pressure after the educational interventions (59.3%, 41.4%, 75.1%, and 70.8% respectively) were significantly higher relative to those recorded before interventions (31.6%, 13.7%, 47.7%, and 25.4% respectively).Conclusions: These findings suggest that in-house training might increase the knowledge of community pharmacists regarding hypertension management.

The present situation of home blood pressure measurement among outpatients in Japan.

Objective: To clarify the present situation of home blood pressure (HBP) measurement among Japanese patients.Methods: A nationwide questionnaire survey regarding HBP measurement was conducted on patients aged 20 years or older who had visited 20 community pharmacies to have their prescriptions filled.Results: In total, 76.7% of 1,103 hypertensives and 40.9% of 1,106 normotensives had their own devices for HBP measurement. Compared with normotensives, a higher proportion of hypertensives recognized the guideline-based reference values for HBP and clinic BP. Compared with hypertensives who did not have a physician's recommendation, those who did more often had their own devices, recognized the guideline-based reference values for HBP, and measured HBP every day (70.4%, 1.5%, and 31.6% vs. 91.1%, 6.9%, and 65.4%, respectively). Among 793 hypertensives who measured HBP, a higher proportion of those with a physician's recommendation measured HBP according to optimal guideline-based procedures compared with those without. Among 560 hypertensives who recorded HBP readings, a higher proportion of those with a physician's recommendation (74.6%) showed all HBP readings to their physicians compared with those without (35.3%).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that physicians should recommend measuring HBP in accordance with the Japanese Society of Hypertension guidelines more aggressively, and provide more detailed explanations to patients regarding how to measure HBP.

Knowledge and Attitude towards Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus among Pharmacists in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) among pharmacists in Japan. METHODS: Questionnaires were disseminated to 788 pharmacists employed by the Tsuruha Holdings Inc. A total of 617 pharmacists responded, generating a response rate of 78.3%. RESULT: Of the 362 females and 255 males, vaccination rates were 14.4% and 0.8%, respectively. In terms of cervical cytology, 35.1% of females received it once every two years, and 26.2% received it irregularly. As for HPV testing, 12.2% of females received it once every two years, and 16.6% received it irregularly. The rate of "school curriculum" as an information source was significantly higher among younger pharmacists; while "internet", "media", "training seminar for pharmacist", "advertisement in medical institution", "internal manual", and "others" were significantly higher among older pharmacists. The proportion of pharmacists with knowledge on general questions, except for those about HPV testing, was significantly higher among females than males. The vaccination rates of younger pharmacists were significantly higher than those of older pharmacists. The screening rates of cervical cytology were significantly higher among older than younger pharmacists, and also among those with at least 10 years of experience than those with less. There were no differences in the screening rates of HPV testing according to age or pharmacist experience. CONCLUSION: The proportion of pharmacists with knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV significantly varied depending on sex, age, and experience as a pharmacist. This study suggested that spreading the knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV might be effective for increasing the rates of cervical cancer screening.

Nutritional Status and Body Composition of Independently Living Older Adults in a Snowy Region of Japan.

Lifestyle diseases, which are associated with nutrition, account for 30% of elderly requiring long-term care. To increase health expectancy among Japan's rapidly aging population, we investigated the nutritional status and body composition of elderly adults living in a region subject to heavy snowfall, to identify pertinent health indicators. The dietary habits of 288 local residents aged ≥50 years were analyzed using body composition and a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Body mass index of all residents was normal. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) and muscle mass were reduced in the older group. Dietary habits did not differ with age among men, but older women had significantly higher dietary intake. BMR and muscle mass declined with age, even when dietary intake was sustained. Despite sufficient dietary intake, independently living older adults demonstrate less efficient use of food with age. Interventions to reduce excessive sodium and protein intake are required.

Awareness regarding clinical application of pharmacogenetics among Japanese pharmacists.

Advances in pharmacogenetic analysis technology have accelerated the movement to incorporate pharmacogenetic analysis data into medicine. Therefore, pharmacists will soon have to provide guidance and raise pharmaceutical questions regarding prescriptions based on patient pharmacogenomic information. The objective of this study was to clarify Japanese pharmacists' awareness of pharmacogenetics. We conducted a postal questionnaire survey among 372 pharmacists belonging to Tsuruha Holdings. Available data were collected from 268 pharmacists (male [n=133], <40 years old [n=170], drugstore pharmacists [n=182]). Of the pharmacists, 19.0% of the population were aware of the Ethical Guidelines for Human Genome/ Gene Analysis Research in Japan, 31.0% of the population had heard either or both the terms "pharmacogenomics" and "pharmacogenetics", and 16.8% of the population were aware that health insurance covered pharmacogenomic tests performed before prescription in Japan. Only 0.4% indicated that they could raise pharmaceutical questions regarding prescriptions based on patients' pharmacogenomic information, and 61.2% of the population indicated a preference to undertake pharmacogenomic tests to predict the efficacy or adverse reactions of a drug. We found a need for actions to improve the awareness of pharmacists about pharmacogenetics and create an environment in which pharmacists are able to provide appropriate medical service based on pharmacogenomic information.