Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Physicians and Pharmacists Working in Alexandria Governmental Hospitals Regarding Food Drug and Drug Nutrient Interactions

Abstract

Background: Food drug interactions (FDIs) and drug nutrient interactions (DNIs) are considered adverse drug reactions pertaining to nutritional diseases. The primarily and most easily accessible health care professionals to the patients are physicians and pharmacists. Knowledge and expertise about FDIs and DNIs are both essential among healthcare professionals where their lack would eventually lead to inappropriate patient counseling and undesirable adverse medical consequences. Aim (s): To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of physicians and pharmacists working in Ministry of Health governmental hospitals of Alexandria regarding food drug and drug nutrient interactions and their association to professional characteristics. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 279 physicians and pharmacists. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire to gather information on personal and professional characteristics, nutritional background, and knowledge, attitude and practice of physicians and pharmacists towards food drug and nutrient interactions. Linear regression was used to detect the most independent/affecting factors for the knowledge and practice. Results: Only 10.4% and 17.9% of the studied physicians and pharmacists had good level of knowledge and practice respectively, while 86.7% had positive attitude concerning FDIs and DNIs. Multivariate analysis revealed that the main factors affecting knowledge were the graduation year and having nutrition courses either pre or post-graduation, while practice was mainly affected by knowledge and the undergraduate nutrition courses. Conclusion: Knowledge of physicians and pharmacists about FDIs and DNIs was found to be inadequate. They had positive attitude towards FDIs and DNIs, and moderate to poor practice level. This might be greatly advanced through including nutrition modules in the topics taught to medical students (physicians and pharmacists) via multiple educational strategies.