Abstract:
Objectives The objective of this study was to update the self-assessment tool
and to evaluate current hospital pharmacy practices in six sub-Saharan African
countries.
Methods Questions in the validated survey were edited if the revised Basel
Statement changed intent. A total of 13 updates were made. The survey was
administered via e-mail to pharmacy personnel in any hospital centre in Ghana
(258 total hospitals), Nigeria (17 038 total hospitals), Malawi (499 total hospitals),
Uganda (155 total hospitals), Zambia (98 total hospitals) and Zimbabwe
(1389 total hospitals). Snowball sampling increased reach of the survey across
each country.
Key findings Responses were received from all six countries, with nine respondents
from Ghana, 15 from Nigeria, two from Malawi, five from Uganda, nine
from Zambia and four from Zimbabawe. Uganda had the highest achievement
rates for tier one and tier three constructs, and Ghana had the highest achievement
rate for tier two constructs. Malawi showed the lowest achievement rates
in all three tiers. The six countries achieved an average of 82 per cent
(SD = 24) of tier one constructs. Three tier one constructs were achieved less
than 25 per cent of the time.
Conclusion Multiple tier one (minimum standards in hospital pharmacy practice)
constructs were achieved greater than 90% of the time, possibly reflecting
efforts made towards hospital pharmacy practice advancement in select countries
of sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, all countries achieved a majority of tier one
overarching constructs. Despite these achievements, there are still many areas for
growth, including select tier one constructs with low achievement rates.
