Preparedness, attitudes, and risk perceptions of future pharmacists regarding HIV/AIDS: A cross-sectional study from Pakistan

Authors

  • Muhammad Amer Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Saleh Ahmed Wah Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9479-5942
  • Muhammad Akhlaq Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Niaz Gul Khan Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Yumna Azhar Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Sibgha Fiaz Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Maria Tanveer Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Ali Ahmed Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2024.241.807817

Keywords:

AIDS, Anti-HIV agent, HIV, Pharmacy student, Risk factor, Viral load

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organisation (WHO) aims to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, sparking ongoing debates about pharmacists’ increased involvement in providing care to HIV-affected individuals. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions related to HIV/AIDS among final-year pharmacy students to determine whether they are adequately trained to elevate HIV prevention and management to the next level.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among 309 pharmacy students at different private universities in Pakistan located in Islamabad and Rawalpindi using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS v.23.

Results: More than half of the sample had poor knowledge related to HIV. Only 26.2% of the students knew about diagnosing AIDS. Regarding attitudes, less than 20% of participants strongly agreed that a Pharm.D. student can counsel an HIV/AIDS patient, while 25% were hesitant to do volunteer work with HIV patients. Only around 50% of the participants agreed that HIV transmission could be prevented by using safety measures.

Conclusion: This study found that future pharmacists are not prepared, as the majority had poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS, varying by sex and institution. Attitudes towards patient care differed, but risk perceptions were satisfactory. Involving community pharmacists can help prevent HIV transmission through proactive measures.

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Published

19-12-2024

How to Cite

Amer, M., Ahmed, S., Akhlaq, M., Khan, N. G., Azhar, Y., Fiaz, S., Tanveer, M., & Ahmed, A. (2024). Preparedness, attitudes, and risk perceptions of future pharmacists regarding HIV/AIDS: A cross-sectional study from Pakistan. Pharmacy Education, 24(1), p. 807–817. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2024.241.807817

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Research Article

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