THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PHARMACIST IN PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION IN ENUGU CITY, NIGERIA
The study aimed at: finding out the activities of the community pharmacists with respect to public health; assessing from the community pharmacists their roles in public health education; and the level of satisfaction the patients derive from such education and to what extent it influences their health. A 26-item questionnaire was distributed to a population of 300 adult individuals from different social and religious groups through the help of our support staff. The questionnaire was designed to draw some subjective opinions of the general public on the roles of the community pharmacist in the health delivery. A 40- item questionnaire was distributed to a population of 50 pharmacists across Enugu state, to draw data on issues bordering on their clients’ awareness of the roles of a pharmacist in health system. Out of the 300 hundred questionnaires distributed to the public, 180 were filled and returned. It was observed that 60% of the sample population consulted the community pharmacist when ill, admitted recognizing the important roles of the pharmacist in the community. 43 questionnaires were filled and returned by the pharmacists. Data showed that 50% of the clients who visited them recognize the roles of the pharmacists and so patronize them. The role of the community pharmacist is indispensable in providing better public health education and care. However, the result of this research showed a poor awareness and patronage by the general public to the crucial roles of a pharmacist in the community. Serious measures should be taken to educate the public on this important issue, and also make facilities available for easy access to such services