Role of pharmacists in national public health programs in India: A survey on pharmacy students’ perceived knowledge and attitude

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.