The Feasibility of Introducing Screening for Noncommunicable Diseases into Pharmacy Shops in Three (3) Municipalities in South-Eastern Ghana

Abstract

Background: The epidemiological transition with increasing prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is well established in many sub-Saharan African countries including Ghana. The introduction of screening for NCDs into pharmacy shops in Ghana is a recent development and remains largely informal. Aim: The aim of this research is to assess the feasibility of introducing screening for non-communicable diseases into pharmacy shops in three (3) Municipalities of southeastern Ghana aged 18 years and above. Method: Three hundred and thirty (183 males and 137 females) clients of six pharmacy shops were surveyed. Information on Age, Sex, Marital status, Occupation, Level of education, income level, Religion, Ethnicity, knowledge about NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, obesity) and willingness to be screened in pharmacy shops was collected using questionnaires, and analyzed using Stata software (version 14.1). Result/discussion: Clients have knowledge about NCDs risk factors (family history (27%), overweight (75%), smoking (82%), and excessive salt intake (92%)). 98.5% of clients agreed to be screened and 52.0% accepted to receive health promotion messages from pharmacy shops. About 30% of the respondents were concerned that promotional messages sent using mobile health resource could invade their privacy. Conclusion: The introduction of screening for non-communicable diseases into pharmacy shops is acceptable to clients. This approach if formalised could expand access to NCD screening and early detection in Ghana. A similar study among clients of licensed chemical sellers is recommended.