title: Understanding private retail drug outlet dispenser knowledge and practices in tuberculosis care in Tanzania.
abstract: METHODS
  Private sector accredited drug dispensing outlets in Morogoro and pharmacies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess 1) the level of knowledge about tuberculosis (TB) among dispensers in Tanzania's retail pharmaceutical sector; 2) practices related to identification of patients with suspected TB; 3) the availability of educational materials and training; and 4) the availability of first- and second-line anti-tuberculosis treatment in retail drug outlets.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study involving the administration of a structured questionnaire among drug dispensers in 122 pharmacies and 173 accredited drug dispensing outlets.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Private retail drug outlets are convenient; most are open at least 12 h per day, 7 days/week. Although 95% of dispensers identified persistent cough as a symptom of TB, only 1% had received TB-related training in the previous 3 years; 8% of outlets stocked first-line anti-tuberculosis medicines, which are legally prohibited from being sold at retail outlets. The majority of respondents reported seeing clients with TB-like symptoms, and of these 95% reported frequently referring clients to nearby health facilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Private retail pharmaceutical outlets can potentially contribute to TB case detection and treatment; however, a coordinated effort is needed to train dispensers and implement appropriate referral procedures.
authors.affiliation: System for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services, Center for Pharmaceutical Management, Management Sciences for Health, United States Agency for International Development, Arlington, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rutta
authors.affiliation: Tanzania National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarimo
authors.affiliation: System for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services, Center for Pharmaceutical Management, Management Sciences for Health, United States Agency for International Development, Arlington, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Delmotte
authors.affiliation: Center for Pharmaceutical Management Intern, Georgetown University, Arlington, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: Management Sciences for Health, Center for Pharmaceutical Management, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mwakisu
authors.affiliation: Tanzania National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kasembe
authors.affiliation: System for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services, Center for Pharmaceutical Management, Management Sciences for Health, United States Agency for International Development, Arlington, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Konduri
authors.affiliation: Tanzania Pharmacy Council, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silumbe
authors.affiliation: System for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services, Center for Pharmaceutical Management, Management Sciences for Health, United States Agency for International Development, Arlington, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kakanda
authors.affiliation: Management Sciences for Health, Center for Pharmaceutical Management, Dar es Salaam.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valimba
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004513:Education, Pharmacy, Continuing / Q000379:methods; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D017149:Private Sector; D024382:Professional Role; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents