title: Role of pharmacist in cardiovascular disease-related health promotion and in hypertension and dyslipidemia management: a cross-sectional study in the State of Qatar.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Qatar, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have recently become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Prevention, detection and management of CVD risk factors reduce CVD chance. The study objectives were to assess Qatar pharmacists' involvement in CVD health promotion, to identify the activities that they currently provide to patients with CVD risk factors, to describe their attitudes towards their involvement in CVD prevention and to assess their perceived barriers for provision of CVD prevention services
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional survey of community and ambulatory pharmacists in Qatar. Pharmacist characteristics, involvement in CVD-related activities along with their attitudes and perceived barriers were analysed using frequency distributions. Bivariate linear regression models were used to test for associations between CVD health promotion activity score and each variable. Variables with a P-value of 0.20 or less were included in the multivariate model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 141 pharmacists completed the survey (response rate 60%). More than 70% responded with rarely or never to 6 out of the 10 CVD health promotion activities. Eighty-four per cent and 68% always or often describe to patients the appropriate time to take antihypertensive medications and the common medication adverse effects, respectively. Yet, 50% rarely or never review the medication refill history or provide adherence interventions. Lack of CVD educational materials was the top perceived barrier (55%) in addition to lack of having private counselling area (44.6%), and lack of time (38.3%). Females and community pharmacists were more involved in CVD health promotion (P = 0.046 and P = 0.017, respectively) than their counterparts. Health promotion practice increased with increasing attitudes score and decreased with increased barriers score (P = 0.012 and P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The scope of pharmacy practice in CVD prevention is limited in Qatar. Efforts need to be exerted to increase pharmacists' involvement in CVD prevention.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacy and Practice Section, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Maguy Saffouh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: El Hajj
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Ziyad R
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Mahfoud
authors.affiliation: Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Jassim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Al Suwaidi
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Dania
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alkhiyami
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Aya Riyad
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Alasmar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019468:Disease Management; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D011780:Qatar; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Qatar; attitude; barrier; cardiovascular diseases; pharmacist; pharmacy; prevention