Pharmacists’ Perception of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Tamara Al-Daghastani, Odate Tadros, Shereen Arabiyat, Deema Jaber and Husam AlSalamat
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Tamara Al-Daghastani: Department of Medical Allied Sciences, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan
Odate Tadros: Department of Medical Allied Sciences, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan
Shereen Arabiyat: Department of Medical Allied Sciences, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan
Deema Jaber: Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy Department, School of Pharmacy, Zarqa University, Amman 11942, Jordan
Husam AlSalamat: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-11

Abstract: Objectives: To analyze the role of pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic, to measure pharmacists’ attitude toward COVID-19 safety measures (wearing masks, wearing gloves, isolation shield, good hygiene, etc.), and explore their perspectives regarding a second wave of the virus. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey study was conducted in Jordan during the COVID-19 outbreak in July 2020 to discuss Jordanian pharmacists’ awareness of safety at their workplace during the COVID-19 outbreak, their sources of information, and their predictions for COVID-19 vaccination. Results: The participants ( n = 311) were all pharmacists mostly aged between 23–30 years old (45%) and female (83%). The primary source of information about COVID-19 was social networking (38.9%). Pharmacists were committed to social distancing (86.5%) and wearing masks (76.2%). They expressed levels of agreement to their role in decreasing COVID-19 spread (94.2%) and correcting false information (94.5%); they expressed levels of expectation toward concern about a second COVID-19 wave (83%) that would be more severe than the previous one (43.4%). Pharmacists expected that an influenza vaccine might be helpful in decreasing severity and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic (56.9%). Pharmacists expected COVID-19 vaccine development within 6 months of administering our study survey (84.9%) and that vaccination might be effective in preventing COVID-19 (93%) infection. Conclusion: Pharmacists expressed positive roles on COVID-19 spread through exemplary actions, self-commitment to protection measures, and public health awareness. Social media as a source of health information should be cautiously investigated, and pharmacists should always refer to evidence-based sources. The role of pharmacists is particularly important for the upcoming era of COVID-19 vaccination administration and awareness.

Keywords: COVID-19; Jordan; perception; pharmacists (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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