HIV infection and AIDS: attitudes and knowledge of Arizona pharmacists.
OBJECTIVE
To assess Arizona pharmacists' attitudes and knowledge regarding HIV infection and AIDS.


METHODS
Mailing of a 7-page survey, which included demographic and attitudinal items, as well as preparedness, comfort, and knowledge scales.


METHODS
Randomly selected pharmacists registered and residing in Arizona.


METHODS
Of the 479 pharmacists surveyed, 41 were removed from the sample because they had moved with no forwarding address, were retired or not practicing, or had died. The response rate was 46% for the remaining 438 pharmacists. A final sample size of 199 was obtained.


RESULTS
The respondents had a high level of preparedness and comfort in addition to positive attitudes. Overall, their knowledge level was low. Inpatient pharmacists had a higher level of therapeutic knowledge (p < 0.0001) and were more willing to work with a person infected with HIV than were outpatient pharmacists (p = 0.05). Pharmacists who had attended at least 1 HIV/AIDS-related continuing education (CE) program had higher levels of preparedness (p < 0.0001), comfort (p = 0.01), and knowledge (p < 0.0001) than those who had not. The majority of respondents believed that an HIV/AIDS CE program should be mandatory.


CONCLUSIONS
Although Arizona pharmacists feel prepared, are comfortable, and have positive attitudes regarding patients with HIV/AIDS, their level of knowledge is low. The results of this study may be used by CE providers to design programs to meet the educational needs of pharmacists.
Katz
M D
MD
Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA.
Draugalis
J R
JR
Lai
R P
RP
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D001130:Arizona; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010595:Pharmacists