Community pharmacists' preparedness in irritable bowel syndrome management: A descriptive, community-based study on awareness, perceptions, and clinical support practices in Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent chronic gastrointestinal disorder affecting nearly 20% of the global population, with symptoms including constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. As frontline healthcare providers, community pharmacists play a pivotal role in IBS management through medication guidance and patient education. However, their understanding, perceptions, and practices regarding IBS remain understudied in many regions, including Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to evaluate community pharmacists' preparedness for IBS management by assessing their awareness, perceptions, and clinical support practices in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists in Qassim (May-August 2024) using a self-administered, 35-item questionnaire. The validated instrument assessed demographics, IBS awareness, perceptions, and clinical practices via closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Inferential analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test for 2-group comparisons and the Kruskal-Wallis H test for comparisons involving 3 or more groups, with statistical significance set at P < .05. Of the 67 participants, 62.7% were male. The median age among all participants was 34 years (interquartile range = 32-38). While 61.2% of the participants demonstrated adequate IBS awareness, 38.8% had significant gaps. Notably, 77.6% recognized IBS as a quality-of-life-impairing condition, whereas 22.4% underestimated its clinical significance. Perceptions were largely constructive (64.2%), although 35.8% held negative views. Strikingly, 74.6% correctly identified IBS as more common than colorectal cancer, highlighting awareness of its prevalence. Awareness was significantly associated with higher education level (P = .041) but not with years of experience, sex, or nationality. In total, 52.65% of the pharmacists demonstrated adequate clinical preparedness for IBS management. While the majority of Qassim community pharmacists possess foundational competence for IBS counseling, the study reveals critical gaps in recognizing warning signs and applying evidence-based pharmacotherapy. These findings underscore the necessity of targeted educational interventions and continuing professional development programs to enhance pharmacists' preparedness.