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Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and ResearchNOW IN
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IJPER · Lens · Role of Pharmacists in National Public Health Programs in India: A Survey on Pharmacy Students’ Perceived Knowledge and Attitude

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Article · Volume 50, Issue 1 · pp. 51–62

Role of Pharmacists in National Public Health Programs in India: A Survey on Pharmacy Students’ Perceived Knowledge and Attitude

Siva Prasada Reddy Maddirala Venkata1, Peter Kielgast2, Ubaidulla Udhumansha3, Marja Airaksinen1

  1. 1Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Clinical Pharmacy Group, University of Helsinki, Finland.
  2. 2Division of Community Pharmacy, Proprietor Pharmacist, Taastrup Pharmacy, Taastrup Hovedgade 60, Taastrup, DK-263, Denmark.
  3. 3Department of Pharmaceutics, C. L. Baid Metha College of Phrmacy, Jyothi Nagar, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thorapakkam, Chennai- 600 097, India.

Abstract

Objective: An attempt was made to explore the awareness, perceived knowledge and attitude of Indian pharmacy students on National Public Health Programs (NPHPs).Methods: This study was a cross-sectional classroom survey among final year D Pharm, B Pharm and Pharm D students in India. A survey tool was prepared to assess: (i) pharmacy students’ perceived knowledge and attitude towards NPHPs in general; (ii) perceived knowledge on individual NPHPs. The survey tool was distributed to 326 students from 5 randomly selected pharmacy colleges from South India. A brief introduction on NPHPs and study objectives were provided to students and were instructed to respond independently.Results: Of all respondents (n=326), 83% had opined that it was very important/important to include NPHPs in normal pharmacists’ training programs. In comparison to D Pharm and B Pharm, a higher proportion of Pharm D students estimated that they knew well/knew to some extent about NPHPs (55% vs, 39% vs. 68%, respectively, p=<0.001). DPharm and Pharm D students indicated higher interest in NPHPs than B Pharm students. Of B Pharm respondents 65% were willing to take up a professional role in NPHPs, whereas 82% DPharm and 85% Pharm D (p=0.001). Of all student groups, only 21% believed that their current knowledge was very much sufficient/sufficient to become active part of NPHPs. 81% students felt that they have very important/important role to play in NPHPs and 96% were willing to take up a professional role and want to learn more about NPHPs.Conclusion: Students had positive attitudes on pharmacists’ involvement in NPHPs, although their attitudes varied in different student groups, Pharm D and D Pharm students being most positive towards involvement in NPHPs. The study also revealed the need for increasing contents supporting NPHPs to all pharmacy programs, particularly to B Pharm program. There is scope for detailed national level analysis to identity pharmacists potential in NPHPs.

Keywords: Pharmacy Education; Pharmacy Students; Knowledge and Attitude; Public Health; Pharmacist role in; public health

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