Evaluating community pharmacists’ HIV testing knowledge: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract Objectives To assess community pharmacists’ knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), antiretroviral therapy, and new in-home oral fluid HIV test. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire administered to pharmacists, student pharmacists, and technicians before an education program at the New Mexico Pharmacists Association 2013 Mid-Winter Meeting in Albuquerque, NM. The main outcome measure was community pharmacists’ correct response rate of 75% or more. Results Overall survey response rate of attendees was 89% (173/194 attendees). Among them 87 participants were community pharmacists; 87% of community pharmacists responded correctly when asked how HIV antiretroviral medications work and 84.3% correctly identified known sources of HIV infection. The 75% predefined adequate knowledge threshold was not met on any HIV screening or in-home HIV test knowledge items. Only 65.1% of community pharmacists correctly identified the minimum number of antiretroviral drugs that should be included in an ideal HIV treatment regimen. The only variable that positively influenced pharmacists’ knowledge was age. An inverse relationship between pharmacist age and HIV knowledge was observed among study participants. Conclusion Community pharmacists from urban and rural areas in New Mexico possessed adequate basic HIV knowledge, but did not demonstrate adequate HIV screening or in-home HIV test knowledge. Future educational interventions aimed at improving pharmacist knowledge in this area are warranted.