Knowledge and Attitude on Behavioral Skills to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis of Community Pharmacists in Region XI

Abstract: Community pharmacists may contribute to increasing HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence. However, no current policies highlight their roles in the country, and scarce literature has investigated it. The present study not only aims to fill the practical knowledge gap in literature but also to understand the current position of community pharmacists regarding their knowledge, attitude, and behavioral skills regarding HIV PrEP therapy and education. This study used a quantitative descriptive design to survey a random sample of community pharmacists in the Davao Region. Descriptive and inferential statistics identify the respondents' knowledge, attitude, and behavioral skills and how these variables are related. Community pharmacists in Davao Region showed average knowledge (mean score=58.98%), high levels of attitude (mean score=4.17) and behavioral skills (mean score=3.41). Attitude significantly predicted the level of behavioral skill (p=.013). At the same time, knowledge did not correlate significantly with behavioral skills (p>.05). To conclude, the current position of community pharmacists towards HIV PrEP therapy and education is favorable. They can extend their roles to provide referrals, counseling, and adherence-related services regarding HIV PrEP. Based on the findings, an action plan is proposed to establish future training on HIV PrEP or policy briefing for community pharmacists.

Keywords: Pharmacy, Public Health, HIV PrEP, attitude, knowledge, behavioral skills, Community Pharmacists, Philippines.

Title: Knowledge and Attitude on Behavioral Skills to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis of Community Pharmacists in Region XI

Author: Von Jay Maico G. Gabucan, Ferlien Mae B. Brieta

International Journal of Healthcare Sciences

ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)

Vol. 10, Issue 2, October 2022 - March 2023

Page No: 239-246

Research Publish Journals

Website: www.researchpublish.com

Published Date: 11-March-2023

Amendment Date: 01-July-2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8103528

Paper download Link (Source)

https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/knowledge-and-attitude-on-behavioral-skills-to-hiv-pre-exposure-prophylaxis-of-community-pharmacists-in-region-xi