Clients knowledge, attitude and practices on hydration, presenting hydrationstatus and pharmacist’s intervention while requesting prescribed drugs

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between hydration status and prescription drug requestsamong clients attending a Pharmaceutical Care Clinic in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. A cross-sectionaldesign involving 443 consenting adults utilized a three-part methodology: a structuredquestionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to hydration; oralinterviews to collect medical and prescription histories; and laboratory analysis of hydrationindicators. The questionnaire, based on modified validated tools, tested knowledge (maximumscore = 27), attitude (Likert scale), and lifestyle practices, with categorization into poor, fair, orgood knowledge and positive or negative attitudes. Daily fluid intake and 24-hour urine output wererecorded over three days, alongside measurements of urine volume, weight, specific gravity, andosmolality. Blood osmolality was also assessed. Out of 443 approached, 380 respondents (56.1%female, mean age 49.5 ± 6.2 years) completed the study. Knowledge scores were fair overall, withsignificantly higher mean scores among males and those with higher educational attainment(p<0.05). Positive attitudes toward hydration correlated with younger age and tertiary education.Lifestyle practices revealed that males consumed more water post-meal and during the day(p<0.05), while older adults showed reduced water intake. Laboratory findings indicated aconsistent gap between mean daily fluid intake (approx. 3.5 L) and urine output (approx. 2 L), withmales exhibiting higher values. These gender- and education-linked differences in hydrationbehavior may have pharmacokinetic implications, particularly for renally-excreted drugs. Findingssuggest a need for hydration-focused patient counseling in pharmacy settings to optimizetherapeutic outcomes and minimize adverse drug events.