Public Perceptions and Correlates Regarding the Potential Role of Community Pharmacists in Mental Healthcare: A Cross-sectional Study in Jordan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/jjps.v19i1.3535Keywords:
Mental Health, Stigma, Pharmacy Practice, Community Pharmacy, Healthcare SystemAbstract
Background: Accumulating evidence suggests significant benefits for incorporating community pharmacists in mental healthcare in the face of the increasing prevalence of mental disorders worldwide with a substantial socioeconomic burden.
Objectives: Herein, we aim to investigate the Jordanian public perceptions in this regard and identify associated factors in terms of demographics, attitudes, and experiences.
Methods: The study was conducted via an online questionnaire composed of three components: demographics, attitudes and experiences regarding mental illness, and attitudes towards a role for community pharmacists in mental healthcare, and a total of 1042 adults participated.
Results: The results revealed a high prevalence of mental illness, with 23.8% having suffered a mental illness and 20.6% having been prescribed medication for it. The latter was higher among males (OR: 1.59, P<0.01) and health-uninsured individuals (OR: 1.71, P<0.01) as well as those with lower income (P<0.05) and educational level (P<0.01). A high degree of shame regarding mental illness (30.4%), especially among lower-income individuals (P<0.05), was also observed, with 26.5% not knowing where to find mental health support, which associated with lower education (P<0.05) and lack of insurance (OR: 1.82, P<0.01). Most participants support the idea of mental healthcare by community pharmacists (80.1%), would not be shy about it (65.1%), believe it provides enough privacy (60.8%), trust their advice (87.9%) and qualifications (63.6%), believe in their roles in mental illness management (69.6%) and that these extend beyond dispensing medications (82.7%). A significantly higher level of support for mental healthcare by pharmacists was observed among females (P<0.05), younger (P<0.05), less-educated (P<0.01), and non-working individuals (P<0.01) as well as those who have been prescribed a medication for a mental illness (P<0.05).
Conclusions: The findings indicate an adequate degree of public acceptance for integrating community pharmacists in mental healthcare in Jordan and identify various factors to be considered for raising awareness and promoting pharmacists’ roles in mental healthcare.
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Accepted 2024-12-12
Published 2026-01-12
