Orahim Dawood Younan
Iraq
Title: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and human immunodeficiency virus knowledge, attitude, and perception among pharmacists in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Biography
Biography: Orahim Dawood Younan
Abstract
Background: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a public health problem of the 21st century and has been a pandemic disease that threatens the world’s population since it was documented as a separate new disease entity in 1981.
Objectives: This study sought to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS among pharmacists in Erbil, Iraq.
Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted using previously developed and modified questionnaires. A hundred and twenty pharmacists were approached to take part in the study including those working in government hospitals and private pharmacies as well as academic pharmacists at Hawler Medical University/College of Pharmacy. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 20. Results: Most of the participants were female (62%) and 73.8% ranged from 20 to 29 years old. Additionally, 80.3% graduated from Hawler Medical University /College of Pharmacy. Most pharmacists (65%) had adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion: The present results showed moderate knowledge about HIV/AIDS treatment, methods of HIV transmission, and educational information about HIV/AIDS among Erbil pharmacists. The curriculum offered should incorporate correct information about HIV/AIDS, thereby minimizing fear, misconceptions, and negatives attitudes towards the infection.