Pharmacists’ Readiness for Nutrition and Supplement Counseling During Pregnancy in Iraq: A KAP Cross-Sectional Study
Sufficient maternal nutrition and proper dietary supplement usage during pregnancy are important determinants of a mother’s well-being and fetal growth. Pharmacists are commonly consulted regarding supplement safety, dosage, and selection, establishing a key role as agents of pregnancy counseling. However, there is scarce evidence about pharmacists’ awareness, beliefs, and therapeutic behavior toward pregnancy nutrition in Iraq. The objective of that study is to assess pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and professional practices relating to nutrition and supplement use in pregnancy, and to discover their linkage with demographic and professional characteristics. A cross-sectional KAP survey was conducted among practicing pharmacists in Iraq with a structured self-administered questionnaire constructed from published literature and international nutrition guidelines, with face and content validation. Knowledge items were scored dichotomously, reduced to percentages, and the attitude and practice domains were analyzed by conducting domain-based scores. Descriptive, t-test, ANOVA and correlation analysis methods were used. The internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. The sample consisted of 194 pharmacists (51% male; mean professional experience 4.4 years). The overall knowledge scores were low, with the mean of 45.8% ±14.3, and a majority of the respondents fell on poor knowledge. Although general nutrition knowledge was well-established, precision of specific micronutrient dosing guidelines was low. Counseling practices reported in the sample were found to be good (mean practice score 84.2% ± 19.8) and professional role perception scores were high (90.7% ± 20.8). Knowledge scores were relatively higher for male pharmacists while practice scores varied as well in intensity of practice by experience. No meaningful correlation was obtained between knowledge and practice scores. Results for reliability were consistent with the multidimensionality of KAP instruments. Despite active attitude and behavior counseling among Iraqi pharmacists and a positive professional attitude toward guidance as regards pregnancy supplements, important gaps in knowledge exist regarding recommendations related to micronutrients. However, future focused continuing education initiatives may be useful in providing better fidelity and uniformity in pregnancy nutrition counseling.