Cross-sectional study on community pharmacists' behaviours in providing travel health services in Türkiye: a structural equation modelling approach.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the behaviours of community pharmacists in Türkiye regarding the provision of travel health services (THS) and to identify the determinants of these behaviours using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). A cross-sectional descriptive study. Online nationwide survey conducted in Türkiye. The study included 145 Turkish community pharmacists with at least 5 years of professional experience who had provided THS to at least one patient in the previous year. A theory-based measurement tool was developed and validated according to the TPB framework. Data were collected via self-administered online questionnaires between May 2024 and July 2024. Structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the factors influencing pharmacists' behaviours and intentions towards THS. The structural equation model demonstrated an acceptable fit with the empirical data. Pharmacists' intentions to provide THS were significantly influenced by subjective norms (β=0.19, p<0.05) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) (β=0.49, p<0.001). PBC was identified as the strongest predictor of intention. Furthermore, pharmacists' intentions significantly and positively influenced their actual behaviour in providing THS (β=0.49, p<0.001). The findings confirm that providing THS is a suitable and essential role for community pharmacists in Türkiye. Since PBC is the primary driver of intention, policy interventions should focus on empowering pharmacists through specialised training and expanding their professional autonomy to better integrate travel health into community pharmacy practice.