Putative Role of Community Pharmacies in Case Detection of Dengue in South India: A Community Intervention Trial

Abstract: Background: Before visiting a doctor, the majority of people in developing countries stroll to community pharmacy buy over-the-counter (OTC) fever medications. Objectives: The purpose current study is evaluate role pharmacies for dengue case identification. Materials and Methods: A intervention trial was conducted among staffs Tamil Nadu. Prior intervention, are trained using modules. Community staff members collected information on those with symptoms who visited enrolled OTC medications during period gave it research pharmacists engaged this project. Each suspicious followed up by phone, offered patient education. after staffs’ knowledge their perceptions referral health education were compared. number suspects detected staffs, as well diagnosed, also documented. Results: involved 191 total. After showed statistically significant (p<0.001) improvement knowledge, referring giving community. Using methodology, suspected 241 cases. Dengue diagnosed 9 them physicians. Conclusion: model deemed acceptable all stakeholders, according findings feedback analysis. Undiagnosed cases can be identified methodology. Keywords: Epidemiology, Communicable, mHealth, WhatsApp.