Rationale, aims, and objectives Community pharmacists have a crucial role in providing comprehensive patient education regarding contraception methods. This study aims to investigate Jordanian pharmacists’ knowledge and perception towards male OCPs. Methods A mixed-explanatory sequential method was divided into two phases. The first was a self-administered electronic survey to community pharmacists/trainees in Jordan. The second phase was carried out through online semi-structured in-depth interviews targeting the maximum variation purposive sample of community pharmacists. Results A total of 158 (response rate 98%) questionnaires were included in the analysis. The majority of the participants were female (n=118, 74.2%). In terms of knowledge, only 25% of participants acknowledged the presence of male OCPs and almost half were uncertain about the mechanism of action and the possible uses. The findings of the interviews confirmed the relatively negative perception towards males OCPs. As, the identified barriers to male OCPs were cultural norms, side effects, and poor compliance. Conclusion There is a negative perception towards male OCPs, as the majority of pharmacists believe such products will not be successful in Jordan. Once these pills are approved for their effectiveness and safety, men may need further education and encouragement to take an active role in family planning along with their partners.

Background: The relationship between smoking and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is still topical with mixed epidemiological evidence. However, the pandemic may affect people’s beliefs towards smoking as well as smoking behavior and quit intentions. Considering high smoking rates in Jordan, our current study aimed to assess the following points in a community-based sample from Jordan: (i) the beliefs that surround smoking and COVID-19, (ii) the pandemic impact on smoking behavior and quit intention.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan utilizing an online questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 13 items on sociodemographic, health, and smoking profiles, 14 items to assess beliefs surrounding COVID-19 and the use of combustible cigarettes (CC), waterpipe (WP), and electronic cigarettes (EC), and 12 items to assess the pandemic impact on smoking behavior and quit intention. Results: Of 2424 survey respondents who participated in our study there were 1163 never-smokers, 1044 current smokers, and 217 ex-smokers. The mean age of participants was 35.2 years (SD:11.06). Most participants have shown anti-smoking beliefs with around 72.9% believed that WP smoking is related to the risk of contracting COVID-19. Also, 71.7% believed that smoking CC may worsen the COVID-19 clinical course, while 74.1% of respondents believed that smoking has no protective effect against COVID-19. During the pandemic, about 28.1% and 19.3% of current smokers reported increased or reduced smoking, respectively, and many smokers reported their willingness to quit smoking due to the pandemic. Besides, 459 current smokers have expressed their plans/intention to quit smoking during the pandemic, of whom 27.5% (n=126) confirmed that the driving force for their decision is a COVID-19 related reason, such as self-protection (n=123) and protection of family members (=121) which were the most reported ones. Also, around 63 participants have successfully ceased smoking during the pandemic. However, only 22 of them reported that the main driving motivation of their successful quit attempt was the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusion: Most participants reported anti-smoking beliefs and attitudes during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the double-edged effect of the pandemic on smoking habits should be carefully considered, and reliable anti-smoking measures should be strengthened and sustained in the country.

Background: The coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was declared in January 2020 as a public health emergency of international concern. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA), like other parts of the world, suffered from several epidemics over the years. Pharmacists have vital roles to play to prevent the spread of this virus. Objectives: To assess the awareness of COVID-19 amongst pharmacists from countries located in the MENA countries, and to assess their perspectives of their role, barriers, and roles of the educational institutions and pharmaceutical associations in preparing them for their roles during the pandemic. Methods: An online survey was conducted to run a descriptive cross-sectional study in Jordan from 12th to 22th April 2020. The questionnaire was validated and put on Facebook for pharmacists’ recruitment and assessment of their awareness (20 questions with a score out of 20) about epidemics/pandemics and COVID-19, their perceived roles and barriers, and roles of the educational institutions and pharmaceutical associations. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). Results: Study participants (n= 2589) had a mean age of 29.3 (8.2) years and 1329 (51.5%) were females. Most of the participants were from Egypt 819 (40.8%), Followed by Jordan, Algeria, and Syria. As for the sources of information about coronavirus treatment among the study participants, 60.8% got their information from the social media. Fear as a consequence was identified by the majority of participants (87.7%). The majority of pharmacists identified positive roles for the pharmaceutical association and pharmaceutical associations. Conclusion: Pharmacists from the MENA countries believe they got enough education previously about epidemics/pandemics, and the majority follow on the latest coronavirus updates from social media. Fear was reported as the major barrier that requires resolution by the policymakers. Certain gaps in the awareness about COVID-19 were identified.

Background Many people are used to administering their drugs with food, beverages, or herbs, which may contain chemicals that interfere with the prescribed drugs that could potentially lead to changes in their efficacy or safety and alteration in their pharmacokinetic properties. Objective To assess the extent of perception and use of food, beverages and herbs alongside with conventional drugs and their potential interactions among Jordanian society. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jordan (20 April - 5 May 2020). The survey was developed using Google forms, validated and distributed via social media platforms. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences-24. Main outcome measure Use and perception of food, beverages, herbs and their drug interactions among Jordanians. Results Of all participants (n = 789), 77.8% were females, 46.2% were 50-year-old, 69.7% were married, 70.8% were medically insured, and 51.1% had a bachelor’s degrees. Seventy percent of the study participants reported use of medicinal plants. About 66% of participants agreed that medicinal plants or herbs could treat diseases and 58.6% thought that medications could interact with drugs. In general, the participants’ knowledge about food/beverage/herb-drug interactions was considered poor. However, linear regression analysis illustrated that the level of knowledge was significantly affected (p-value <0.05) by gender, marital status, social status, the educational level, and employment sector. Conclusion Jordanians have a positive perception towards herbs and their ability to treat diseases. However, their knowledge about food/beverage-drug interactions was poor. This call needs to enhance the community awareness on food/beverage/herb-drug interactions.

Rational: In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus infectious disease as a pandemic referred to as COVID-19. As an essential service, community pharmacists have been enacting a key role in patient counseling and supply of essential medicines and protective equipment. Objectives: To investigate pharmacists’ perspectives of the role of educational institutes and professional pharmacy organizations in supporting them to take on roles during COVID-19 pandemic and to identify barriers to be able to support themselves and their patients. Methods: This descriptive mixed-method study was conducted via a cross-sectional online survey distributed to pharmacists/pharmacy students in Jordan during the COVID-19 outbreak (15-30 March 2020) using an online questionnaire, followed by an online focus group. Questionnaire items related to participants’ perspectives in being prepared for and supported in their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and items were tested for face validity. Data were descriptively analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and triangulated with focus group findings. Results: Considering that fear and anxiety are a consequence of mass social distancing/quarantine, study participants (n=726, age=26.9 (SD=8.0) years, 71.9% females), reported needing training on mental healthcare to be able to support themselves and people during pandemics (90.2%). Most respondents agreed/strongly agreed (59.7%) with the statement around pharmacy educators/educational institutes having a key role in preparing pharmacists for practice during epidemics/pandemics, and agreed that their faculties should add a course regarding pandemic preparedness in their curriculum (89.9%). Results were similar regarding roles for the pharmaceutical associations. Focus group findings (n=7) mirrored the survey findings to a large extent. Conclusions: Most participants believed that Pharmacy Educators and pharmaceutical associations have a role in preparing them to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic through online educational workshops/webinars. Online education on mental healthcare is specifically needed.