Abstract
Abstract
Background: In Saudi Arabia, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) remain serious public health concerns, despite considerable progress in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Considering that pharmacy students are future pharmacists, it is essential to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions towards HIV/AIDS.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was developed and administered to pharmacy students during their final academic year at Taibah University in Saudi Arabia. The data were analysed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS version 27. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to find the difference with a p-value of 0.05.
Results: A total of 130 pharmacy students responded to the questionnaire (76.64% response rate). The students’ knowledge about HIV/AIDS was low, with a mean knowledge score of 8.22 out of 15. Only 36.2% of pharmacy students were familiar with post-exposure prophylaxis, and only 11.5% knew the duration it takes for HIV to progress to AIDS. More than half of the students (60.8%) were unaware that antivirals are not effective in treating HIV/AIDS. Only 18.5% of students agreed that they were capable of counselling and treating individuals who are HIV-positive. A survey conducted among pharmacy students revealed that 46.2% of them did not receive adequate education on how to work with HIV/AIDS patients in a safe and responsible manner. Shockingly, 20% of the students were unwilling to assist HIV patients. Among pharmacy students, 54.6% recommended HIV testing for healthcare professionals, and 53.9% recommended it for patients before surgery.
Conclusion: The study highlighted inadequate knowledge among students as well as modest attitudes and risk perceptions towards HIV/AIDS. Saudi Arabian educational institutions and healthcare planners should implement educational interventions to enhance HIV/AIDS knowledge among healthcare students.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC