Pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the management of couple infertility

Couple infertility affects approximately 15% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa. This is a condition with important sociocultural implications since, in Benin, one of the objectives of marriage is procreation. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of community pharmacists in the management of infertility in Benin.

This is a cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical aims that took place from July 4 to September 30, 2024; the study involved exhaustive sampling and covered community pharmacists working in pharmacies in 4 departments located in southern Benin involved in the dispensing of medicines. The data were collected via a questionnaire established on a survey form and analyzed via EPIINFO software version 7.2.1.0 and SPSS version 25. Associated factors were sought via logistic regression.

In total, 142 pharmacies were included in the study, and 167 pharmacists responded to the survey questionnaire. The average age was 34.41 years, with a standard deviation of 1.74. Males were the most represented, with a sex ratio of 1.06. Pharmacists with less than 10 years of experience were the most represented (69.46%). The good knowledge score was 79.64%, the satisfactory attitude score was 68.86%, and the satisfactory practice score was 97%. Low KAP was significantly associated with age, professional qualifications, internships or training on infertility and having received cases of infertility from the couple at the counter.

The overall KAP level of the pharmacists was satisfactory. This level is influenced by certain characteristics that must be taken into account in decisions that can improve the quality of pharmaceutical services in this area in Benin.