Evaluation of Pharmacists’ Knowledge on Scabies Management at District Hospitals in Kedah State, Malaysia: A Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

Introduction:
Scabies is a common skin infection in developing countries. Appropriate choice and application of topical medications are fundamental in ensuring safe and effective scabies management. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge level of pharmacists in scabies management.
Methods:
A cross-sectional, multicentre study was conducted among pharmacists from five district hospitals in Kedah, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire, developed based on the Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines was employed. The questionnaire underwent both content and face validations.
Results:
A total of 69 pharmacists (98.6%) completed the self-administered questionnaire. The mean knowledge score was 70.8% ± 8.8%. Although most respondents answered correctly, there was a substantial knowledge gap in some aspects of scabies management, method of application, and selection of the most appropriate scabies medication for specific populations. Simple and multiple linear regressions showed that working experience, number of scabies cases encountered, and location of undergraduate study did not significantly affect the knowledge score.
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrated that pharmacists in public district hospitals in Kedah, Malaysia, were able to correctly answer most of the questions regarding scabies. However, further education for pharmacists should focus on enhancing their understanding of scabies management, particularly regarding appropriate medication choices for specific populations and medication application sites.