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Knowledge of Private Pharmacy Staff on the Dispensing of Breast Milk Substitutes in the Bamako District, 2023-2024

Received: 2 November 2025     Accepted: 14 November 2025     Published: 11 December 2025
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Abstract

Introduction: Globally, 59% of infants under six months are not exclusively breastfed. Many receive alternative foods, including breast milk substitutes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of private pharmacy staff regarding the dispensing of breast milk substitutes in the district of Bamako. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The study population was composed of pharmacists, salespeople, and individuals responsible for dispensing breast milk substitute drugs in pharmacies. Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used, with a significance level of 5%. Confidentiality and anonymity of respondents were maintained. Results: The survey included 165 staff members, with men comprising 61.8% of participants. The mean age was 31.7 years (SD ±8.9). Most staff were assistants (53.3%), and 92.0% had less than 15 years of experience. Medical visits represented the primary source of training (84.7%). More than half of respondents (54.5%) lacked knowledge of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Brand awareness was the main reason for dispensing specific product ranges (45.8%). Professional experience significantly influenced dispensing decisions. Conclusion: Pharmacy staff demonstrated limited knowledge of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Continuous medical education is required to enhance the dispensing of breast milk substitutes in line with current recommendations.

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23
Page(s) 562-569
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Breast-milk Substitutes, Pharmacy Staff, Knowledge, Dispensing, Mali

References
[1] OMS, UNICEF. Clarification on the classification of follow-up formulae for children aged 6 to 36 months as breast milk substitutes. https://www.who.int/fr/publications-detail/WHO-NMH-NHD-18.11
[2] Desplats G. Ending the marketing of breast-milk substitutes: a major step forward in increasing breastfeeding rates. Field Exchange 67 French,
[3] Neves, P. A., Barros, A. J., Baker, P., Piwoz, E., Santos, T. M., Gatica-Domínguez, G., Vaz, J. S., Rollins, N., & Victora, C. G. (2022). Consumption of breast milk, formula and other non-human milk by children aged under 2 years: analysis of eighty-six low- and middle-income countries. Public health nutrition, 25(3), 680-688.
[4] Zehner E. (2016). Promotion and consumption of breastmilk substitutes and infant foods in Cambodia, Nepal, Senegal and Tanzania. Maternal & child nutrition, 12 Suppl 2(Suppl 2), 3-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12308
[5] OMS. Au Mali, Formula milk remains the only alternative for a large number of infants. France-parrainages,
[6] Cecile Follain. Infant formula: comparative analysis and the role of the pharmacist. Pharmaceutical sciences. Thesis, Rouen, 2015.
[7] Clere N. How to choose a breast milk substitute? Pharmaceutical News 2015; 54: 43-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpha.2015.07.009
[8] District de Bamako - District de Bamako,
[9] STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE NATIONAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM 2020-2024 (PS-SNISS 2020-2024). 2021.
[10] Sangho A, Sangho F, Kaloga A. Evaluation of the prescription and dispensing of medicines in Mali in 2021. PAMJ-One Health; 9. Epub ahead of print 23 December 2022.
[11] Fane D, Coulibaly T. Daouda dit Aba FANE, Demographer, INSTAT, Report.
[12] Neglo EYM. Assessment of knowledge and practices regarding the cold chain for temperature-sensitive medicines among pharmacy staff in Bamako Commune I from June to November 2021. Thesis, USTTB, 2022.
[13] Diarra C. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of private pharmacy staff regarding narcotics regulations in Kayes. Thesis, USTTB, 2020. https://www.bibliosante.ml/handle/123456789/4143
[14] INSTAT. GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS (RGPH), Report. National Institute of Statistics of Mali,
[15] Barry FZ. Study of the dispensing of artemisinin-based combination therapies in a pharmacy in Commune IV of the Bamako district: M'PEWO Pharmacy. Thesis, USTTB, 2024.
[16] Dembele G. Study of human resource management (HRM) practices in private pharmaceutical establishments. Case study of 60 pharmacies in Bamako (Mali). Thesis, USTTB, 2019.
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  • APA Style

    Sangho, O., Tchapebong, J. P., Sanogo, D., Sogodogo, A., Diarra, B., et al. (2025). Knowledge of Private Pharmacy Staff on the Dispensing of Breast Milk Substitutes in the Bamako District, 2023-2024. World Journal of Public Health, 10(4), 562-569. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23

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    ACS Style

    Sangho, O.; Tchapebong, J. P.; Sanogo, D.; Sogodogo, A.; Diarra, B., et al. Knowledge of Private Pharmacy Staff on the Dispensing of Breast Milk Substitutes in the Bamako District, 2023-2024. World J. Public Health 2025, 10(4), 562-569. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23

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    AMA Style

    Sangho O, Tchapebong JP, Sanogo D, Sogodogo A, Diarra B, et al. Knowledge of Private Pharmacy Staff on the Dispensing of Breast Milk Substitutes in the Bamako District, 2023-2024. World J Public Health. 2025;10(4):562-569. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23

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  • @article{10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23,
      author = {Oumar Sangho and Jean Paul Tchapebong and Djeneba Sanogo and Abou Sogodogo and Borodjan Diarra and Abdoul Salam Diarra and Cheick Abou Coulibaly and Issa Coulibaly and Belle Fortune Kuaguim Kenfack and Fanta Sangho},
      title = {Knowledge of Private Pharmacy Staff on the Dispensing of Breast Milk Substitutes in the Bamako District, 2023-2024},
      journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {10},
      number = {4},
      pages = {562-569},
      doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20251004.23},
      abstract = {Introduction: Globally, 59% of infants under six months are not exclusively breastfed. Many receive alternative foods, including breast milk substitutes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of private pharmacy staff regarding the dispensing of breast milk substitutes in the district of Bamako. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The study population was composed of pharmacists, salespeople, and individuals responsible for dispensing breast milk substitute drugs in pharmacies. Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used, with a significance level of 5%. Confidentiality and anonymity of respondents were maintained. Results: The survey included 165 staff members, with men comprising 61.8% of participants. The mean age was 31.7 years (SD ±8.9). Most staff were assistants (53.3%), and 92.0% had less than 15 years of experience. Medical visits represented the primary source of training (84.7%). More than half of respondents (54.5%) lacked knowledge of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Brand awareness was the main reason for dispensing specific product ranges (45.8%). Professional experience significantly influenced dispensing decisions. Conclusion: Pharmacy staff demonstrated limited knowledge of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Continuous medical education is required to enhance the dispensing of breast milk substitutes in line with current recommendations.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Knowledge of Private Pharmacy Staff on the Dispensing of Breast Milk Substitutes in the Bamako District, 2023-2024
    AU  - Oumar Sangho
    AU  - Jean Paul Tchapebong
    AU  - Djeneba Sanogo
    AU  - Abou Sogodogo
    AU  - Borodjan Diarra
    AU  - Abdoul Salam Diarra
    AU  - Cheick Abou Coulibaly
    AU  - Issa Coulibaly
    AU  - Belle Fortune Kuaguim Kenfack
    AU  - Fanta Sangho
    Y1  - 2025/12/11
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23
    DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23
    T2  - World Journal of Public Health
    JF  - World Journal of Public Health
    JO  - World Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 562
    EP  - 569
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2637-6059
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.23
    AB  - Introduction: Globally, 59% of infants under six months are not exclusively breastfed. Many receive alternative foods, including breast milk substitutes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of private pharmacy staff regarding the dispensing of breast milk substitutes in the district of Bamako. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The study population was composed of pharmacists, salespeople, and individuals responsible for dispensing breast milk substitute drugs in pharmacies. Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used, with a significance level of 5%. Confidentiality and anonymity of respondents were maintained. Results: The survey included 165 staff members, with men comprising 61.8% of participants. The mean age was 31.7 years (SD ±8.9). Most staff were assistants (53.3%), and 92.0% had less than 15 years of experience. Medical visits represented the primary source of training (84.7%). More than half of respondents (54.5%) lacked knowledge of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Brand awareness was the main reason for dispensing specific product ranges (45.8%). Professional experience significantly influenced dispensing decisions. Conclusion: Pharmacy staff demonstrated limited knowledge of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Continuous medical education is required to enhance the dispensing of breast milk substitutes in line with current recommendations.
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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