Background: The stress experienced by hospital pharmacists can adversely affect their quality of life and
that of their patients.
Objectives: To identify the stress experienced by hospital pharmacists and their various coping behaviors.
Methods: The study was descriptive and cross sectional. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to
340 hospital pharmacists selected through multistage sampling technique from the five administrative regions
of Lagos State.
Results: Major perceived stressors reported as very stressful by hospital pharmacists included too many
patients to attend to (36.6%); poor remunerations (32.0%); drugs stock-out (31.2%); inadequate space and
equipment (29.2%); and little knowledge of disease condition (7.5%).
Most of the respondents scored above the mean stress scores on both the Perceived Stress Scale (14.89±5.67)
and the Life Event Inventory Scale(24.13±7.02) out of 40. Respectively, on both scales, there was no significant
association between the levels of stress experienced by hospital pharmacists and the type of health facility
(p=0.45; p=0.72); ownership of the health facility (p=0.43; p=0.36); and their year of qualification (p=0.15;
p=0.77).
Pharmacists' major coping methods included updating knowledge on disease and medication, Drug
Information Centres, employment of more Pharmacists/assistants, Drug Revolving Fund Scheme, and
provision of better/improved infrastructure and equipment.
Conclusion: There appears to be a high level of stress associated with the practice of pharmacy in Lagos State
irrespective of the type of facility, ownership of facility and pharmacist's year of qualification.