Community pharmacists and cancer awareness in yemen: insights into knowledge, counseling barriers, and educational priorities

Abstract

Community pharmacists play a key role in cancer prevention, early detection, and patient counseling, but evidence on oncology knowledge and practices in Yemen is limited. This study assessed community pharmacists’ cancer knowledge, perceived counseling barriers, and interest in oncology education. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 458 community pharmacy personnel in three Yemeni cities using a structured questionnaire. Participants were predominantly male (93.4%), aged 20–29 years (61.6%), and diploma holders (53.1%). Mean scores were 10.81 ± 2.10 for general cancer knowledge, 3.42 ± 2.18 for warning signs, and 6.65 ± 2.55 for risk factors. Recognition of warning signs was highest for lumps (77.3%) and lowest for persistent cough/hoarseness (28.6%). Awareness of smoking (93.4%), carcinogenic substances (94.1%), and radiation exposure (90.8%) was high, whereas awareness of obesity (24.5%), physical inactivity (29.0%), and low fruit/vegetable intake (27.5%) was limited. Major counseling barriers included inadequate oncology education (83.4%), insufficient communication training/materials (84.2%), limited resources (77.1%), and patient perceptions (72.9%). Educational qualification was significantly associated with general knowledge ( p = 0.018) and warning-sign knowledge ( p = 0.017), while oncology education during pharmacy studies was associated with higher risk-factor knowledge (7.01 ± 2.59 vs. 6.27 ± 2.45; p = 0.002). Interest in oncology education was high (81.9–89.5%).