Prevalence and factors associated with frequent seeking of pharmaceutical consultations among pharmacy users in Peru

Authors

  • Luis Fernando Yacila-Ochoa Grupo Peruano de Investigación en Medicamentos, Políticas y Servicios Farmacéuticos (GPIMPSF), Carrera de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0021-5901
  • Adrian Manuel Ballena-Gonzales Grupo Peruano de Investigación en Medicamentos, Políticas y Servicios Farmacéuticos (GPIMPSF), Carrera de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3596-1381
  • Azucena Deseret Eugenio-Flores Grupo Peruano de Investigación en Medicamentos, Políticas y Servicios Farmacéuticos (GPIMPSF), Carrera de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4298-4768
  • Zharela Gabriela Huarcaya-Zarate Grupo Peruano de Investigación en Medicamentos, Políticas y Servicios Farmacéuticos (GPIMPSF), Carrera de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1955-7231
  • J. Jhonnel Alarco Grupo Peruano de Investigación en Medicamentos, Políticas y Servicios Farmacéuticos (GPIMPSF), Carrera de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0481-7072

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21142/mecp.2026.1.2.e013

Keywords:

Pharmaceutical Services, Epidemiologic Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Pharmacy Research, Secondary Data Analysis, Community Pharmacy Services

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of frequent (i.e., almost always or always) seeking of pharmaceutical consultations and to identify its associated factors among pharmacy users in Peru. Methods: The study employed an analytical crosssectional design, drawing on secondary data from the 2016 National User Satisfaction Survey (ENSUSALUD), which included pharmacy users across Peru. Both crude and adjusted ordinal logistic regression models were applied to identify factors associated with frequent (i.e., almost always or always) seeking of pharmaceutical consultations. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated. Results: Data from 3,795 users who visited pharmacies in Peru during 2016 were included. A total of 22.5% (95% CI: 21.0– 24.1) reported that they almost always or always sought pharmaceutical consultation in the past year, whereas 43.0% did so occasionally and 34.5% never or almost never used this service. Factors associated with frequent pharmaceutical consultation seeking included being aged 45 years or older, having a low educational level, residing in the highlands or jungle regions, having a favorable perception of self-medication, and frequently purchasing medications without a prescription. Conclusion: In Peru, approximately one-fourth of pharmacy users frequently seek pharmaceutical consultation. The findings of this study may inform pharmaceutical care practices among pharmacists in Peru.

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References

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Published

2026-04-01

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Original article

How to Cite

1.
Yacila-Ochoa LF, Ballena-Gonzales AM, Eugenio-Flores AD, Huarcaya-Zarate ZG, Alarco JJ. Prevalence and factors associated with frequent seeking of pharmaceutical consultations among pharmacy users in Peru. Med Educ Clin Pract [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 1 [cited 2026 May 16];1(2):e013. Available from: https://revistas.cientifica.edu.pe/index.php/mecp/article/view/3178