322401
Understanding pharmacists' perceptions about their roles in HIV PrEP therapy and their knowledge about HIV PrEP therapy
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) therapy is prescribed to HIV-negative individuals who are at high-risk of contracting the virus to reduce the risk of transmission. Adherence to therapy is essential for optimal treatment outcome and community pharmacists have an important role in achieving this through patient counseling.
Methods
A cross sectional survey was conducted among community pharmacists in Utah to measure their perceptions about their role in HIV PrEp therapy using Godin’s 12-item tool and their actual knowledge about the therapy from a CDC questionnaire. Descriptive analyses and t-tests identified characteristics based on gender, degree earned, and years of practice in pharmacy. Regression analysis determined significant predictors of the intent/plan to counsel.
Results
There were 251 responses (76% PharmD, 62% males, 42% >10 years experience as a pharmacist). The Godin's 12-item tool exhibited a Cronbach's alpha of 0.85 with one item removed. An exploratory factor analysis with the remaining 11 items demonstrated four domains - beliefs about capabilities, social influence, moral norm, and intend/plan to counsel patients. There was no difference to the intent/plan to counsel based on gender. Those with PharmD and less than ten years of experience had significantly higher knowledge and intent/plan to counsel (p <0.1). The actual knowledge score of the respondents was higher than their perceptions about their knowledge. Multiple regression results showed that the beliefs about capabilities and social influence were significant predictors of the intent/plan.
Conclusion
Using reputed pharmacists to educate community pharmacists about PrEP therapy can increase counseling on PrEP and therefore decrease transmission of HIV.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationChronic disease management and prevention
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe pharmacists’ perceptions about their role in HIV PrEP therapy.
Evaluate pharmacists’ knowledge about HIV PrEP therapy.
Determine the significant predictors of the pharmacist’s intend or plan to counsel patients on PrEP therapy.
Compare how the pharmacist’s intention or plan to counsel patients on PrEP therapy varies between gender, degree earned, and the years practicing as a pharmacist.
Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a pharmacist student who has volunteered with the Utah AIDS Foundation in Salt Lake City, Utah. While volunteering in pharmacy school it has sparked my interest as to what role does a pharmacist in the community setting play in a patient's HIV PrEP therapy.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.