Nutrition and Biology
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- ItemCOMMUNITY PHARMACISTS’ KNOWLEDGE, BARRIERS AND WILLINGNESS TOWARDS ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM PALESTINE(Deanship of Scietific Research - Al-Quds University, 2026-05-12) Sabah Abu Mayyaleh; Lana Faour; Fatima Salaymeh; Sana Malouh; Raina Ghanem; Raina GhanemAbstract Background: Community pharmacists play an important role in providing oral contraceptive pills (OCPs); however, their effective use depends on pharmacists’ knowledge and counseling practices. In the Middle East, cultural beliefs and limited professional support influence women’s contraceptive choices, while in Palestine, social barriers and inconsistent counseling restrict utilization. Objective: This study evaluates the Palestinian community pharmacists’ knowledge, willingness to prescribe OCPs pharmacists’ perceived barriers and challenges towards sexual and reproductive health services in Palestine. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2025 and March 2026, among community pharmacists in Palestine using a self-administered online questionnaire. The survey, which was distributed via social media platforms and local pharmacy groups, consisted of four sections covering: socio-demographics and clinical characteristics, participants’ general knowledge regarding OCPs and the knowledge about their dosing, pharmacists’ willingness to prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraceptives, and the faced barriers limiting the provision of sexual and reproductive health services by pharmacists. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Linear regression was used to determine predictors of knowledge, willingness, and barriers.