Table 3.
Lack of an adequate working environment and lack of stakeholder cooperation by regions
| Yes1 | Differences between regions (chi-square test) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n | Valid (%) | Centre (%) | North (%) | South (%) | East (%) | P-value | |
| Working environment2,3 | |||||||
| Inadequate size of pharmacy for preventive measures4 | 605 | 59.6 | 62.8 | 56.3 | 73.1 | 65.3 | 0.008 |
| Shortage of COVID-19-associated medication and preventative products5 | 649 | 63.9 | 69.5 | 62.2 | 71.0 | 60.0 | n.s. |
| Shortage of community pharmacists available | 402 | 39.7 | 36.0 | 41.4 | 37.4 | 33.3 | n.s. |
| Time constraints to perform tasks required Psychological well-being |
489 | 48.2 | 43.3 | 47.6 | 53.8 | 57.3 | n.s. |
| Lack of security when working during curfew hours | 541 | 53.4 | 53.0 | 52.5 | 59.1 | 52.0 | n.s. |
| Lack of financial incentive to work and undergo risk | 588 | 58.1 | 57.9 | 58.8 | 63.7 | 45.9 | n.s. |
| Stakeholder3,6 | |||||||
| Customers7 | 643 | 63.4 | 62.2 | 65.2 | 60.2 | 54.7 | n.s. |
| Pharmacies management teams8 | 772 | 76.1 | 81.1 | 76.0 | 73.9 | 66.7 | n.s. |
| Healthcare providers9 | 668 | 66.0 | 65.9 | 64.1 | 74.2 | 64.9 | n.s. |
| Healthcare authorities10 | 565 | 55.7 | 64.6 | 54.3 | 47.3 | 58.1 | 0.035 |
Source: Analysis of the cross-sectional survey of 1018 community pharmacies in Egypt by SPSS version 20.0, 8–19 April 2020.
1In the above table, a respondent answer of ‘yes’ indicates lacking the relevant items, as measured in the community pharmacy in which they are actively working.
2Mean 56.23%; ±SD 0.49; range 39.7%–63.9% of valid responses.
3The working environment refers to items 12–17, and stakeholder cooperation to items 18–21 of the study questionnaire, as shown in the Supplementary data.
4For example, 1-m physical distancing or separation of symptomatic customers.
5For example, ≥70% conc. alcohol and disposable face masks for staff use.
6Mean 65.3%; ±SD 0.47; range 55.7%–76.1% of valid responses.
7Lack of cooperation from customers and willingness to follow preventive measures.
8Unfamiliarity with the pharmacy’s role in pandemic management.
9Lack of coordination with other healthcare providers such as nearby fever clinics and designated COVID-19 centres.
10Lack of absolutely necessary facilitation and cooperation from regional healthcare authorities during the pandemic.