A Comparative Analysis of Patient Profiles and Health Service Utilization between Patent Medicine Vendors and Community Pharmacists in Nigeria

Background: This study examined Nigeria's socio-demographic profiles and health service utilization patterns of Patent Medicine Vendors (PMVs) and Community Pharmacists (CPs). Method: A cross-sectional study using a structured self-administered questionnaire among 405 retail outlets (322 PMVs and 83 CPs) across 16 Lagos and Kebbi Local Government Areas (LGAs) between June 2020 and December 2020. Results: Results showed that 60.4% were male, 76.3% from Lagos, 58.3% had tertiary education, and 74.1% had medical training. Cough and fever were common symptoms. Significant differences were found in the utilization of STD services (PMVs: 9.2%, CPs: 12.3%, p = 0.03), services by age <15 (PMVs: 54.3, CPs: 61.2, p < 0.001), and utilization by males (PMVs: 50.8, CPs: 47.1, p = 0.013). The study revealed that men visited PMVs more, while CPs used more STI services and childhood visits. Conclusions: The findings suggest that expanding health services among PMVs could target male-dominant diseases, and capacity building of CPs on syndromic STI management could reduce the STI burden.

Automated summary

This study examined the socio-demographic profiles and health service utilization patterns of Patent Medicine Vendors (PMVs) and Community Pharmacists (CPs) in Nigeria. The findings showed significant differences in the utilization of STD services, services by age <15, and utilization by males. Men visited PMVs more, while CPs used more STI services and childhood visits.