Public Perceptions, Trust, and Utilization of Community Pharmacy Services in Sulaymaniyah City: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v11i1.3018Keywords:
Community pharmacy, Iraq, Public perception , Pharmacy services , Patient trust, Role of pharmacists, Sulaymaniyah cityAbstract
Background: Community pharmacies are among the most accessible healthcare providers worldwide, yet public perceptions of pharmacists’ roles differ across countries. In Sulaymaniyah City, limited data exists on how the public views and utilizes community pharmacy services. Objective: To evaluate public perceptions, satisfaction, trust, and willingness to use current and future pharmacy services. Methods: Between August and October 2024, a standardized questionnaire was distributed in pharmacies, clinics, and online to adults aged 18 years and older who were not healthcare professionals. Results: A total of 258 respondents participated; most were female (68.99%) and aged 18–39 years (72.87%). Pharmacies were primarily visited for prescription medicines (71.71%) and over-the-counter products (68.22%), with location being the most influential factor in pharmacy choice (70.54%). Nearly half of participants (45.74%) perceived pharmacists as more business-oriented than health-focused. Trust levels were moderate: 28% relied on the internet for medication-related information, while 30% consulted doctors or pharmacists. Key barriers to seeking advice included lack of privacy (38.37%), greater trust in physicians (29.84%), and pharmacist workload (29.46%). Overall, 51.55% of respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied with pharmacy services. Willingness to use expanded services was high for minor ailment management (81.35%), medication counseling (77.17%), and health screening (72.62%) but lower for sexual health services (34.92%) and vaccination (32.80%). Conclusions: Respondents viewed pharmaceutical services positively, but they need improvements in privacy, trust, and acceptance of broader clinical roles.
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