KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF COMMUNITY-BASED PHARMACIST IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HIV INFECTED PATIENTS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This study is hinged on the basis that in addition to knowledge updates, the attitudes of health care professionals toward current concepts about HIV care is just as critical. The core philosophy of modern HIV care puts emphasis on patient autonomy and optimal utilization of health care professionals’ different specialties. This study was undertaken to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of community-based pharmacist in the management of HIV infected patients in Rivers State, Nigeria.
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude and knowledge of community pharmacists towards HIV in Rivers State, Nigeria. This study was designed to identify the knowledge that pharmacists routinely provided to people with HIV and their attitudes towards the disease.
Eighty-four conveniently selected community pharmacists were surveyed by the HIV Knowledge Test and HIV Attitude Survey questionnaires. The results showed the mean HIV Knowledge Test’s overall score being
13.77/23(59.86%). General HIV information score was 8.96/15(59.3%). The mean Attitude Survey’s overall score on the Likert scale was 3.04. Amongst the subscales of the Attitude Survey, the need for special training scored the highest (3.28) and the score on the subscale for patient autonomy was the least (2.88). This showed unacceptable level of knowledge and a bias of attitude towards neutral (neither positive nor negative). There was no association between knowledge and attitude of community pharmacists involved in the study. Some statistical difference was noted in respondents’ levels of knowledge based on their differences in ethnicity (race), practice setting (other than community pharmacy) and level of education.
In conclusion, the study has revealed with consideration of all its possible limitations and strengths that the levels of knowledge and attitude of community-based pharmacists in Rivers State, Nigeria are unacceptable. The attitude of community pharmacists equally leaves much to be desired as it displayed a lot of indecision with its tendency toward the neutral, meaning that the patient’s expected desirable outcome could not have a guarantee to be optimized.
TABLE OF CONTENT
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Background
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Objectives
Research Questions
Significance of the Study
Limitations of Study
Operational Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
Conceptual Framework
Research on Pharmacists
Unique Position of Community Pharmacists
Knowledge and Attitude of Health Care Professionals
Accessibility of Community Pharmacists
Role of Community Pharmacists
The Pandemic of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Study Design
Study Setting
Study Population
Sample Size Population
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Variables
Data Collection and Research Instruments
Data Processing and Analysis
Ethical Considerations
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION
Introduction
Data Analysis
Discussion of Findings
CHAPTERFIVE
SUMMARY,CONCLUSIONANDRECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of the findings
Conclusion
Recommendations
REFERENCES
QUESTIONNAIRE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The practice of HIV care has dramatically changed during the past two decades. Knowledge regarding HIV pathophysiology has quickly accumulated and has led to the development of new medications. In addition to knowledge updates, the attitudes of health care professionals toward current concepts about HIV care are even more critical. The core philosophy of modern HIV care puts emphasis on patient autonomy and optimal utilization of health care professionals’ different specialties. Research evidence derived from clinical, economic, and humanistic outcomes also strongly supports the importance of patient autonomy and a team approach to HIV care. Pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes toward HIV can significantly influence patient outcomes (Hsiang-Yin, 2014).
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