DETERMINATION OF THE LEVEL OF SATISFACTION WITH COMMUNITY PHARMACY-BASED SCREENING FOR CHRONIC DISEASES IN NIGERIA

Background: Community pharmacies are increasingly recognized as highly accessible first points of contact for primary healthcare. They play an important role in chronic disease screening. Objectives: To determine participant’s satisfaction with pharmacist-led chronic disease screening services in eight community pharmacies in Benin City, Edo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in eight community pharmacies following pharmacist’s-led screening services for hypertension and diabetes. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Descriptive data analysis was conducted. Results: Participants reported a high mean satisfaction score of 14.16 ± 1.238 for the facility assessment and 22.94 ± 1.835 for satisfaction with the screening services. The total mean satisfaction score was 37.07 ± 2.465. Most [321(85.4%)] of the study participants were satisfied with the comprehensive community pharmacy screening experience. Overall, 325 (86.4%) agreed that it was worth paying for 321 (85.4%) agreed that it should be offered in all community pharmacies. Conclusion: The study reported high level of patient satisfaction, confidence in pharmacist-led screening service and willingness to pay. This highlights the need to diversify pharmacy practice beyond traditional dispensing and support the formal integration of pharmacist-led screening services for chronic diseases into the national primary healthcare framework.